Press Releases

As an arm of the government, the DENR XI through its Regional Executive Director Bagani Fidel Evasco, joined the conduct of the campaign initiated by the Office of the Vice President dubbed as β€œππšπ π›πšππ€π†π¨: 𝐀 𝐌𝐒π₯π₯𝐒𝐨𝐧 π‹πžπšπ«π§πžπ«π¬ 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚 𝐌𝐒π₯π₯𝐒𝐨𝐧 π“π«πžπžπ¬β€.

In response to the OVP’s request, the office provided 900 seedlings, of which, 700 were Bamboo and 200 were Narra.

To show full support to the programs and initiatives of the Vice-Pres. Sara Duterte-Carpio, RED Evasco, along with PENR Officer Alberto Bandiola of Davao del Sur, CENR Officer Ruel Colong of Digos City, MANP-OIC, Protected Area Superintendent Archellito Mallari, Conservation and Development Division Asst. Chief Gil V. Bigcas among other DENR employees were on the site for the conduct of tree planting in Brgy. Managa, Bansalan, Davao del Sur on May 30, 2023.

5 31 OVPs PagbaBAGO 1Around hundreds of students and teachers from all over the province also participated on the said activity, alongside the DepEd’s Chief of School Governance and Operations Division Mario Mondejar, to which, all were warmly welcomed by Brgy. Chairman of Managa, Sixto Taparan.

Shortly after the tree planting, the participants and some members of the community received goods from the said implementing office.

On behalf of the Vice-President, the OVP Satellite Manager in Davao Regina Rosa D. Tecson graced the said event.

On the other hand, the CENRO Davao City also conducted tree planting activity for the same campaign, which was participated by Grades 5 & 6 pupils and teachers of Sirib Elementary School in Brgy. Sirib, Davao City on May 26, 2023.

CENR Officer Juvy Hofilena, who led the activity, also enjoined the wood producers and IP Tribal Leaders in the city. Around 350 indigenous species of trees were planted in the said school site including white lauan, π‘π‘Žπ‘”π‘‘π‘–π‘˜π‘Žπ‘› and π‘ π‘Žπ‘”π‘–π‘šπ‘ π‘–π‘š.

Planting a million trees across the country forms part of the OVP’s campaign which aims to achieve a disaster-proof and disaster-resilient community.

Further, the said project aims on introducing environment conservation to these young children and preparing them to be responsible and disciplined Filipinos who values their well-being, their families and communities. Conducts that will expectantly have a positive ripple effect to the entire country.

Furthermore, the program aims to stimulate the children's drive to pursue education and to ignite their hopes and dreams. It also sets sight on impacting β€œchange” to these promising individuals for them to have a better and brighter future.

Top officials from DENR Regions 11 & 12 including the Regional Executive Directors, CENR Officers, MANP-Protected Area Superintendents and UNESCO Global Geopark (UGGP) committee members rejoin in May 26, 2023 in the DENR XI PENR Office in Digos, Davao del Sur to have a further head-on discussion on the Mt Apo Natural Park (MANP) UNESCO Global Geopark conscription process.

Regional Directors Bagani Fidel A. Evasco (DENR XI) and Atty. Felix S. Alicer (DENR XII) discussed strategies for the improved and collaborative management of the Integrated Protected Area Management Fund (IPAF) as well as the timeline for the UGGP recognition for MANP and other means to enhance the joint management for the said protected area.

Updates were also presented on the proposed establishment of the UNESCO Base Camp within MANP which is set to be launched on July of this year.

5 29 DENR XI and XII unify for MANP 2Members of the committee also refreshed the knowledge of the body on the best practices, universal value as well as the key features of MANP and the importance of preserving its biodiversity.

A Memorandum of Agreement was also presented which stipulates the establishment of regular coordinative meetings between both regions, the creation of a joint technical working committee for the said UGGP conscription process, IPAF sharing and resource mobilization and the interim guidelines in the updating an refinement of Mt Apo’s Manual of Operations (MANP-MANOP).

MANP the highest mountain in the Philippines and one of the most popular nature-based tourism sites in the country. It is a Class I Protected Area, determined as a strict nature reserve, with a total of 64,053 hectares. These spans both Regions XI and XII, covers three (3) cities, four (4) municipalities and forty-four (44) Barangays. Stronger ties are necessary between both regions, including the concerned agencies, organizations, stakeholders and all the other members of the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB). It is a multisectoral body that governs the protected areas and is chaired by the Regional Director of the DENR.

With all matters discussed, the body ensured that it’s all aligned with the goals, mandates and direction of the agency. | π‘£π‘–π‘Ž 𝐷𝐸𝑁𝑅 𝑋𝐼’𝑠 πΉπ‘Ÿπ‘Žπ‘›π‘˜π‘™π‘¦π‘› 𝑅. π΅π‘’π‘’π‘›π‘Žπ‘“π‘™π‘œπ‘Ÿ- 𝑆𝐸𝑀𝑆 π‘Žπ‘›π‘‘ π΅π‘Žπ‘Ÿπ‘Ÿπ‘¦ π‘‚β„Žπ‘Žπ‘¦π‘™π‘Žπ‘›

To seek support from the Davao City government on the establishment of Mt. Apo Natural Park (MANP) as a Geological Monument, Department of Environment and Natural Resources Regional Executive Director Bagani Fidel A. Evasco had a meeting with Davao City Mayor Sebastian Z. Duterte and Vice Mayor Melchor B. Quitain, Jr. on May 22, 2023.

In his privilege speech during the 19th Regular Session of the City Council of Davao last week, RED Evasco raised this said concern, hoping to garner support from the Davao City Council in the creation of a local ordinance declaring MANP as a Geological Monument.

β€œMt. Apo is the highest mountain in the Philippines and is a natural wonder as it boasts a diverse range of geological features and is considered as treasure trove of scientific, educational, and cultural value,” RED Evasco emphasized.

The creation of a local ordinance is just part of the work plan for the bid of MANP to become a UNESCO Global Geological Park (UGGP). At present, the MANP Protected Area Management Office (PAMO) together with other stakeholders are already working on the necessary requirements for Mt. Apo to be declared as UNESCO-UGGP.

5 22 RED with Mayor 2With a total land area of 54,974.87 hectares, MANP is declared a Protected Area by virtue of Republic Act No. 9237 or the Mt. Apo Protected Area Act of 2003. It is also included in the UN List of National Parks and Equivalent Reserves and is also acknowledge as an ASEAN Heritage Site.

RED Evasco stands up for MANP to be declared as a geological monument due to its rich geological history as the said mountain is a stratovolcano that has been formed over millions of years due to volcanic activity.

β€œThis activity resulted to a diverse range of geological formations such as lava domes, pyroclastic deposits, and volcanic rocks,” he said.

MANP is also considered as a Biodiversity Hotspot and a valuable area for scientific research and education, as the mountain is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, including endemic species that are found nowhere else in the world. Its scenic beauty is also immensely popular as the mountain offers breathtaking views and natural landscapes attracting tourists, hikers, climbers and campers from all over the world.

Adding to its panoramic beauty is the remarkable and rich historical and cultural values as the mountain is also an abode to several groups of Indigenous People (IP) dominated by the Manobos, Bagobo Tagabawa, B’laan Tribes and Bagobo Klata Tribes. MANP is considered a sacred mountain as it is used for traditional rituals and ceremonies as it is believed to be the burial ground of the tribes’ great forefather named Apo Sandawa.

RED Evasco further said that with the declaration of MANP as a geological monument, it would provide a valuable educational resource for geologists, students, and the public for it would offer a unique opportunity to learn about the mountain’s geological history, the processes that formed it and the valuable resources it holds.

Should Mt. Apo be declared as a UNESCO Global Geological Park, the ten barangays that will be included are Tungkalan; Sibulan;Tamayong; Manuel Guianga; Tagurano; Eden; Baracatan; Daliaon; Plantation and Catigan.

5 17 FARDECO EU 2DENR-XI Regional Executive Director Bagani Fidel A. Evasco together with Davao del Sur's PENR Officer Alberto Bandiola and Davao City CENR officer Juvy Hofilena joined the EU Ambassador to the Philippines Luc VΓ©ron and delegates during their site visit at FARDECO Agricultural Multipurpose Cooperative, Brgy. Cadalian, Baguio District, Davao City on May 17, 2023.

FARDECO is one of DENR-XI's National Greening Program's (NGP) beneficiaries since 2014 and, with their hardwork and ceaseless innovations, has grown and expanded over the years. In fact, it is now a project partner of the European Union (EU) and German Government through GIZ SPADe (Strengthening the Implementation of Regional and Local Peace and Development Agendas in Mindanao).

Before being an NGP beneficiary, FARDECO started as a small enterprise in 2000. With their membership, the program supported the organization through cash assistance that they utilized for the seedling production, site preparation all the way to planting and maintenance of their area.

Davao Region’s natural resources and places of interest are legion and mostly, if not all, are sought-after.

From Davao City, an estimated 3–4-hour drive north-bound will take you to the wondrous and unblemished attractions of the coastal Municipality of Baganga in Davao Oriental.

The seemingly relaxing and placid place will stun you with its spots that howls both serenity and adventure. There’s loose and powdery white-sand beaches, hot springs, mesmerizing falls and then there’s lush mangrove forests with an entire coastline stretch that is in tip-top shape.

Factors that precisely made the Municipality of Baganga as two (2) of the region’s Protected Areas (PA). One is the Baganga Protected Landscape formerly named as Baganga Watershed Reservation, which was declared as PA pursuant to RA 7586 (NIPAS Act of 1992). The other is the Baganga Mangrove Swamp Forest Reserve which was proclaimed under the Presidential Proclamation No. 2152 dated December 29, 1981.

5 16 Baganga PL 2The said PAs has a total area of 14, 013 hectares that covers eleven (11) coastal barangays of the said Municipality namely- Baculin, Bobonao, Salingcomot, Lucod, Central, Saoquigue, Lambajon, Dapnan, San Victor, Kinablangan and Ban-ao.

From being two (2) separate PAs, the Protected Area Management Board or PAMB, the highest policy-making body for these critical and highly-significant biodiversity area, is making steps to merge it as one legislated PA under E-NIPAS Act. Through a PAMB resolution, it is proposed to be named as Baganga Bay Protected Landscape and Seascape.

The said move visualizes a more effective and efficient environmental approaches in the management of these PAs that ranges from its highlands to oceans including other vital habitats such as Coastal Areas, Seagrass Meadows, Coral Reefs and the entire Municipal Sea waters of Baganga.

Several areas in the PAs have been identified as regular nesting sites of our sea turtles including the critically endangered Hawksbill Turtle. Further, there has been routinary sightings of dugongs and dolphins gliding particularly on its clean and captivating island.

The conservation and protection efforts for the natural resources of the Municipality of Baganga remains enforced through the DENR Davao’s PENRO Davao Oriental and its CENRO Baganga.

Simply put, and as the PENR Officer Pablito Ofrecia emphasizes, β€œIf you still want to see this richness in the future, if you want to enjoy the benefits of an abundant environment, you [and we] have to conserve and protect them now.”