The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) here awarded to the Philippine Army’s Installation Management Command (IMCOM) a special patent for the historic Camp O’Donnell transmitter station in Capas, Tarlac.
On a turnover ceremony held on August 1, 2023, key officials of the DENR here personally handed the special patent to IMCOM Commander Brigadier General Domingo Gobway.
The said patent covers a total land area of 350 hectares, and provides an area for the IMCOM, Training and Doctrine Command and the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Peacekeeping Operations Center.
During the World War II, the Camp O’Donnell transmitter station served as a powerful communication facility, capable of providing wide-area radio broadcasts and point-to-point radio transmissions to individual U.S navy ships in the vicinity of the Philippine islands.
In 2022, the DENR also awarded a special patent to the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office of the Department of National Defense for the historic 50-hectare Capas National Shrine.
This activity is part of the Handog Titulo program of the DENR that expedites the issuance of land titles to qualified beneficiaries. It also aims to preserve the integrity of military camps and prevent them from potential encroachment and illegal occupation. (-30-)
More than 1,600 sacks of wastes were collected from the regionwide cleanup drive led by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) here in support of the annual observance of the World Ocean Day.
Over a thousand environment workers, local government officials, uniformed personnel, members of the academe, volunteers, and private sector representatives participated in the massive cleanup in Baler and Dilasag in Aurora; Mariveles in Bataan; San Miguel and cities of Meycauayan and Baliuag in Bulacan; Cabanatuan City in Nueva Ecija; Angeles City and City of San Fernando in Pampanga; Bamban, Capas, Victoria, Mayantoc and Tarlac City in Tarlac; and Botolan, Palauig and Olongapo City in Zambales.
Collected wastes were mostly composed of single-used plastic bags, styrofoam, food wrappers, plastic bottles, cans, and sachets.
World Ocean Day is celebrated every June 8 to remind people of the importance of oceans in human life. It highlights the importance of conserving and restoring oceans, and reiterates the need to ensure the sustainable management of coastal and marine ecosystems.
In 2008, the United Nations General Assembly resolved that June 8 would be designated as “World Ocean Day” through General Assembly resolution 63/111.
The theme for this year is “"Planet Ocean: Tides are Changing,” which serves as a reminder of the interconnectedness of all life on Earth and the need for sustainable practices to safeguard oceans for future. (-30-)
Around 1,300 state workers, uniformed personnel, youth, and volunteers came united in the region-wide tree growing and cleanup activities in Central Luzon, in support of the global drive for cleaner and healthier communities during this year’s celebration of World Environment Day.
The massive cleanup spearheaded by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) here was supplemental to the government’s efforts of reducing plastic pollution and keeping waterways free from solid waste.
It resulted in the collection of around 570 cubic meters of solid waste from coastal areas and waterways in the towns of Casiguran and Baler in Aurora, Orani in Bataan, Obando in Bulacan, the cities of Cabanatuan and San Jose in Nueva Ecija, City of San Fernando in Pampanga, Tarlac City in Tarlac, and the towns of Botolan and Masinloc and Olongapo City in Zambales.
Moreover, tree-growing activities were conducted in Casiguran, Aurora and Botolan, Zambales, where 1,750 native tree seedlings and bamboo propagules were planted.
Philippine Environment Month is celebrated every June of each year under Proclamation No. 237 signed in 1988, while the World Environment Day is observed every June 5.
This year’s theme is “No to Waste: Advancing Circular Economy to #BeatPlasticPollution,” which promotes immediate collective action to address plastic pollution.
It likewise promotes circular economy as a key to increasing material lifespan, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and ending plastic pollution. (-30-)
Combined operatives of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) - Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) based in Bagac and Dinalupihan, along with the Special Action Provincial Mobile Force and the 303rd Maritime Police Station of the Philippine National Police (PNP) nabbed suspected wildlife hunters in the province of Bataan.
DENR Regional Executive Director Paquito Moreno, Jr. reported that the joint operation resulted in the apprehension of 12 dressed endangered large flying fox (𝘗𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘶𝘴 𝘷𝘢𝘮𝘱𝘺𝘳𝘶𝘴), three 22-caliber hunting rifles and a riding vehicle from Roberto Acuña, 54 and Carmelito Bringula, 62, all residents of Orani town.
Meanwhile, another group of authorities led a buy-bust entrapment operation in the same town and seized three live illegally possessed large flying foxes from Mariano Nuguid, 62.
"The collection of wildlife, including its by-products and derivatives, shall be allowed only for scientific, or breeding or propagation purposes in accordance with Section 6 of Republic Act No. 9147 or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act,” Moreno explained, noting that Section 23 of the said Act states that only accredited individuals, businesses, research, educational or scientific entities are allowed to collect wildlife, provided that the collection does not cover threatened species.
The DENR has already filed criminal charges against the suspects for violating Section 27 of the Republic Act No. 9147, which imposes a penalty of a maximum of P500,000 fine, exclusive of the damage value of wildlife, and a maximum of six years imprisonment.
While the trial is ongoing, bat carcasses are preserved as physical evidence. Three rescued live bats were transferred to the custody of CENRO Dinalupihan for proper care before their release to the Roosevelt Protected Landscape and Seascape.
According to DENR Administrative Order No. 2019-09, otherwise known as the Updated National List of Threatened Philippine Fauna and their Categories, large flying foxes are classified as endangered species.
Based on the 2022 Biodiversity Monitoring System report of the DENR here, 158 sightings of endangered large flying foxes are recorded in Bataan.
The three-layered virgin forest of Subic Bay and Bataan homes the giant flying fox (Acerodon jubatus) and the golden crown flying fox. Over the years, these two species of giant fruit bats have roamed the 10,000-hectare Subic Watershed and Forest Reserve, which is among the world’s largest roosting sites for bats.
According to studies, bats play a significant role in the environment and tourism by aiding the natural reforestation of the forest areas within its environment. Fruit eating bats serve as one of the top pollinators in the wild contributing more than 200 billion dollars globally through their ecosystem services while their insect eating species help fight pests that can damage crops and spread diseases.
The DENR warned the public that any person found involved in illegal wildlife hunting and trading shall be penalized under existing environmental laws, rules and regulations.
Monitoring and patrolling activities, as well as public information initiatives, are likewise in place to protect wildlife and biodiversity in the region from any threat and illegal activities. (-30-)
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) here recently forged a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with Eagle Cement Corporation (ECC) and Solid North Mineral Corporation (SNMC) to further forest protection in Bulacan.
DENR Regional Executive Director Paquito Moreno, Jr. reported that under the MOA, said corporations will adopt over 34 hectares of forestland areas in Barangay Talbak in Doña Remedios Trinidad.
He added that a non-commercial nursery research center, a forest ranger outpost and a 2.15-hectare seedling nursery would also be established in the area.
“The adoption of this forestland area adds a significant boost in our long-term forestland management, especially so that putting up a forest ranger station will be supplemental in our efforts to safeguard this area from any illegal forest activities,” Moreno said.
Under the MOA, the ECC and SNMC will provide the funds for the development of the adopted area and ensure that seedling production will be continuous throughout the validity of the agreement.
The DENR, on the other hand, will provide the necessary technical and scientific assistance in the nursery establishment and maintenance and seedling production.
Since 2011, DENR Region 3 has already established more than 122,000 hectares of plantations within watersheds and forestlands in the region. (-30-)
