KIBLAWAN, DAVAO DEL SUR- Based on the continuous monitoring and assessment of DENR's Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) XI, there’s a threat of flashflood occurrence along the Bugac River in Brgy. San Jose following the successive strong magnitude earthquakes in Mindanao.

To prevent the occurrence of possible disaster, a meeting between the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) XI, Local Government Unit (LGU) Kiblawan, Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) XI and MGB XI was initiated to make an appropriate plan of action in the excavation of the river damming.

The said river damming was attributed to the earthquake-induced landslide wherein debris material was deposited along the river channel causing blockage of the river flow.

“This resulted to the accumulation of surface water in the upstream side of the river with an approximate depth of 8 feet. The excavation will prevent the occurence of flashflood." said Beverly Mae Brebante, MGB XI's OIC-Chief, Geosciences Division.

MGB XI Regional Director Atty. Jasper Lascano further says that the bureau has been issuing landslide and flood threat advisories prior to the earthquake and strongly recommended to the Barangay Local Government Unit to advise its affected constituents to initiate readiness and measures.

"Currently, the MGB-XI is in close coordination with the RDRRMC, Local DRRMOs, LGUs to provide necessary support with regards to the geological hazards that the recent earthquakes may have caused." RD Lascano assures.

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Parent Category: News & Events

Category: Press Releases

Published: 04 November 2019

The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB-XI) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources is currently monitoring all earthquake-hit areas within Region XI, giving assistance to the Provincial, Municipal and City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Offices (P/C/M DRRMOs). Landslide assessment is also being conducted on areas that were affected by the series of earthquakes.

For the month of October, Mindanao has been experiencing a series of high magnitude earthquakes ranging from 6.1 to 6.6 with its epicenters located in North Cotabato and Davao del Sur. As of last week, all embedded personnel and focal persons of MGB-XI were dispatched and instructed to assess their respective areas of responsibility (AORs) and to closely coordinate with P/C/M DRRMOs.

MGB-XI Regional Director Atty. Jasper Alberto Lascano said that although MGB’s mandate is to monitor rain-induced landslides and flooding, monitoring of earthquake-hit areas is also part of the Bureau’s disaster-response efforts.

"We are still monitoring these earthquake-hit areas as tremors may increase the likelihood of rain-induced landslides during heavy rainfalls, specifically since PAGASA has issued weather advisories for Low-Pressure Areas (LPAs) in Mindanao Region embedded in the Intertropical Convergent Zones (ITCZ)," he said.

Last October 19, an ocular inspection was immediately conducted in Magsaysay, Davao del Sur due to the landslide incident thereat wherein 40 houses are located near the area. As of this writing, the team is conducting an assessment in the said area and will also assist the LGUs in assessing evacuation and relocation sites.

In Davao Occidental, structural damages on buildings and other facilities were observed and a landslide incident in Malita was reported. In Davao del Sur, aside from the landslide incident in Magsaysay, structural damages on buildings and other facilities were also reported. There was also a minor landslide along Baluyan Road in Malalag and notable cracks along roads were observed.

In Davao City, aside from structural damages on buildings, cracks were also noted along the road in Baganihan, Marilog District. The MGB-XI Team together with CDRRMO has also conducted monitoring and assessment of high residential areas in the city.

Only structural damages were reported in Panabo City in Davao del Norte and in Maco, Compostela Valley Province. On the other hand, there were no landslide incidents in Davao Oriental, however, structural damages were reported in Governor Generoso and Boston.

Meanwhile, MGB-XI’s Mine, Safety, Environment and Social Development Division has also instructed all mining companies to immediately submit assessment reports of their respective tenement areas as regards to the series of earthquakes.

"Currently, all the technical personnel from MGB-XI’s Geosciences Division are in full alert and are on call 24/7. And to cater to all concerns and inquiries from the citizens, they can call the MGB-XI Operation Center at 082 224-1536," Lascano said.

MGB-XI is also issuing Geohazard advisories from time to time.

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Parent Category: News & Events

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Published: 02 November 2019

What could be a better opportunity to broaden the students’ awareness about environmental protection? Perhaps breaking their indoor habits as a rite of passage for more effective learning. An activity coupled with fun and hands-on experience. “PawiCAMP”, for example.

On October 11, 2019, around thirty (30) Grades 5 and 6 pupils from Matina Central Elementary School and Diego Silang Elementary School were gathered in Aboitiz Cleanergy Park, Punta Dumalag, Davao City for a day-long environmental immersion initiated by the Aboitiz Foundation Inc. together with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-XI, Department of Education (DepEd) and Junior Chamber International (JCI).

The students showed strong enthusiasm as they were given the chance to explore some parts of the 8-hectare outdoor biodiversity park and see for themselves the various Pawikan species which are being nested within the site.

One of the highlights of PawiCAMP is an interactive activity coined as “Dalaw-Turo”, a unique learning approach facilitated by DENR XI’s Protected Area Management and Biodiversity Conservation Section (PAMBC) and the Regional Public Affairs Office (RPAO).

In aims of enshrining the students’ understanding about nature and its biodiversity, learnings were induced through lectures, games, role-play exercise and a fun-filled skit.

Further, kids and teachers were amused when “Grovey” and “Coralina”, the DENR-XI mascots as the main characters of the skit arrived in the scene. These mascots are one of the learning tools that the DENR-XI uses for its Communication, Education and Public Awareness activities (CEPA).

“We are truly honored and happy that we were invited for this activity. It really helps that the pupils are being taught about environmental protection at an early age. This is for the sake of their future.”, Shella E. Cabad, Diego Silang Elementary School teacher expresses.

As the event is also in line with the “World Migratory Bird Day” celebration, pupils were taught about the kinds of bird species, its conservation status and the threats that these birds are facing.

“Learning by doing is always best when educating the children. Making learning relevant by bringing them outdoors and showing them the importance of our environment.” Marigelaine Arguillas, DENR-XI Protected Areas Management and Biodiversity Conservation Section Chief shares.

Ms. Jayvee Jude Agas, Chief of the Regional Public Affairs Office, also emphasizes the significance of engaging the children in environmental education. Further stressing that “Through this Dalaw-Turo activity, we wanted these kids to be aware how important it is to protect our turtles as well as to conserve our environment and natural resources. Whatever environmental problems we are facing today, we want them to be part of the solution.”

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Published: 15 October 2019

The Mining and Environment Committee of the Naboc River Rehabilitation Technical Working Group (TWG) has conducted site identification for the installation of the 2,000 square meter-mercury recovery facilities within Brgy. Naboc and Brgy. Babag, Monkayo, Compostela Valley.

The said facilities will be used to recover mercury from the dredged materials prior to disposal of Sand and Gravel. The dredging of the Naboc River will commence in October this year.

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Parent Category: News & Events

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Published: 16 September 2019

A total of 40 selected employees from the provincial offices of Department of Environment and Natural Resources Region XI are currently attending the Environment and Natural Resources (ENR) Basic Course being held at Sunnypoint Hotel. This course will run from September 10-16, 2019.

To equip the employees with basic knowledge and deeper understanding about the Department, different environmental laws that are being implemented and programs that it upholds, the training course is in line with DENR Secretary Roy A. Cimatu’s goal to strengthen DENR’s Provincial and Community Environment and Natural Resources Offices (PENROs and CENROs) as they are the Department’s frontliners in terms of implementing its programs and execution of different environmental laws.

Assistant Secretary for Field Operations Eastern Mindanao and Regional Executive Director Ruth M. Tawantawan encouraged all the participants to listen to all the discussions as this is an opportunity to further enhance their knowledge and become efficient employees of the Department and valuable citizens in the society.

“You have the responsibility to know by heart all our policies, the laws that we are implementing and most especially the priority programs of our Secretary,” Tawantawan said.

On the other hand, Focal Person for Region XI ENR Courses Kristiansen J. Ortanez said during his message that Secretary Cimatu has created a mobile training team to go to all the CENRO’s in the country and conduct a comprehensive ENR frontline and basic courses as part of DENR’s mandate.

With its aim to also re-orient the employees on DENR’s mandate, vision, mission, priority programs and projects, Assistant Regional Executive Director for Management Services Atty. Ma. Mercedes V. Dumagan discussed to the participants about DENR’s organizational structure, core values and the 10 priority programs of President Rodrigo R. Duterte, PDP and SDGs.

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Published: 11 September 2019