What a “high” way to conclude the year 2022 due to this newly described pitcher plant named 𝑁𝑒𝑝𝑒𝑛𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑠 𝑐𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑎𝑙𝑎𝑔𝑎 that was found in the tropical upper montane forest, nearing the summit of Mt. Candalaga in the Municipality of Maragusan, Davao de Oro.

𝑁. 𝑐𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑎𝑙𝑎𝑔𝑎 is the 38th species of Nepenthes in Mindanao and is a Critically Endangered one according to IUCN criteria. The figure, on the other hand, has made the island of Mindanao, on top for having the highest concentration of pitcher plants in the country.

𝑁. 𝑐𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑎𝑙𝑎𝑔𝑎 is similar to 𝑁. 𝑗𝑢𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑒, a pitcher plant that is endemic to Mt. Hamiguitan in Davao Oriental but the two species differ in morphology. The said new species have 2-3 longitudinal veins running in parallel with the midrib, an orbicular lid and a non-bifid lid spur tip among others.

The scientific stride was made by the researchers of Central Mindanao University (CMU), particularly authored by Mr. Noel Lagunday, who came to conduct a biodiversity expedition during the reconnaissance climb led by DENR-XI Regional Director in April 30-May 3, 2021.

The said climb aims to gather date that would contribute to the pace in proposing the said mountain as a Protected Area or a Critical Habitat of threatened species.

According to CMU, the said mountain is characterized by having three vegetation types namely: tropical lowland evergreen rainforest, tropical lower montane rainforest and tropical upper montane rainforest. The latter is the part where the new species was observed.

Apart from 𝑁. 𝑐𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑎𝑙𝑎𝑔𝑎, the mountain is also home to endemic species of flora including 𝑁𝑒𝑝𝑒𝑛𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑠 𝑛𝑒𝑏𝑢𝑙𝑎𝑟𝑢𝑚 and other noteworthy species of Begonia and 𝑀𝑒𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑙𝑙𝑎 𝑠𝑝𝑝.)

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Published: 28 December 2022

157 pcs. or 3,069.67 bd. ft. of assorted Lauan and tanguile species in lumber and flitches with an estimated market value of Php 107, 438.45 and 23 pcs of equipment/implements including assorted power wood working tools, flywheel, circular saw, and combustion engines (used to run the bandsaw & circular saw) with an estimated value of Php 78,000 were seized during an inter-agency raid that was conducted on November 24, 2022 in So. Namnam, Brgy. Marilog, Marilog District, Davao City.

Accordingly, the aforementioned forest products are undocumented, while the structure is also found illegal as it failed to present its building permit. That is on top of its violation for putting it up within the premises of an area protected by IPRA or Indigenous Peoples Rights Act or Republic Act No. 8371- laws that protect the rights of indigenous peoples in the country.

The said forest products were illegally cut, thus, a violation to Section 77 of PD 705 or Forestry Code of the Philippines as amended by RA 7161 penalizing possession of timber or other forest products without the legal documents required and RA 460 penalizing the illegal operations of a sawmill without a permit to operate, thereby authorizing the confiscation of illegally cut, gathered, removed and possessed forest products, and granting rewards to informers of violations of forestry laws, rules and regulations.

As stated in the spot report of DENR XI’s CENRO Davao City, the undocumented forest products and equipment were seized, the illegal mini-sawmill has been dismantled while a case has already filed at the City Prosecutor’s office against the nabbed respondents in the name of Jerry M. Aldevera, John Jagonia and Thomas Bautista.

Further, the said illegal structure was sealed by the Office of the City Building Official with a notice of violation pursuant to Sec. 207 of PD 1096 or the National Building Code of the Philippines.

With the DENR are the operating agencies led by the Office of the City Building Official (OCBO) and National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) alongside the Philippine National Police (PNP), 27th IB of the Philippine Army, National Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP), Matigsalug-Manobo Tribal Council of Elders/Leaders Inc., Obu-Manuvu Ancestral Domain Tribal Council of Elders/Leaders, Public Safety and Security Office (PSSO) and Brgy. Officials of Marilog.

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Published: 29 November 2022

As a stroke of prodigious concern to save and conserve Mt. Apo Natural Park, its substantially significant biodiversity including the wildlife species that habituate in it, a plan to put up a Wildlife Rescue Center has been keenly talked through during the 2-day multi-stakeholder roundtable discussion held in Davao City last November 23-24, 2022.

The past years, the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) chaired by the DENR’s Regional Executive director had brought changes to the policies and regulations in the country’s highest peak. This includes regular conduct of camp, trail and biodiversity assessment and monitoring.

With several concerns which stemmed from abusive human activities, it landed into an order for regular 3-month closure which covers August-October of every year. It is, by virtue of PAMB-EnBanc Resolution No.06, Series of 2021, that mandates to give MANP a period to rest and recover from camping activities and for wildlife species have their “undisturbed” space and time.

Being one of the country’s Key Biodiversity Area and to step up the protection and conservation efforts for the hundreds of wildlife species within MANP, a Wildlife Rescue Center is being contemplated to put up in it through the conduct of the aforementioned Joint Planning and Programming Workshop.

Result of the said meeting resulted to having a middle ground on policies and regulations, identifying location and finally closing an agreement and signing of commitment and support from the stakeholders through a ceremony.

Proposed location for the said 20—hectare rescue center is in So. Binaton, Digos City, Davao del Sur.

Said activity was instigated by Mindanao Development Authority in partnership and consultation with DENR Regions 11 and 12, heads of the Local Government Units of concerned regions and some private sectors.

PENR Officer of Davao del Sur Alberto Bandiola came to represent RED Bagani Fidel Evasco and delivered the office’s statement through his closing remarks.

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Published: 29 November 2022

Last November 17, 2022 the CENR Office of DENR RXI-2D of Lupon, Davao Oriental led by OIC CENR Officer Henry K. Yap conducted a Communication Education and Public Awareness (CEPA) activity for the local BLGU Peacekeepers Action Teams (BPATs) of Pundaguitan, Lavigan and Tagabebe in the Municipality of Governor Generoso, Davao Oriental, located at Southernmost tip of Mindanao.

As part of the DENR’s mandate to mobilize our citizenry in protecting, conserving and managing our natural resources for the welfare of present and future generations, the Enforcement and Monitoring Section of the aforementioned CENR Office together with the personnel of EMB XI Ecological Solid Waste Management Section, provided interactive lectures and discussions on the Forestry Code, Chainsaw Act, Wildlife Act and the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act in order to empower BLGU based partners towards increased awareness and environmental action.

BPATs, apart from providing peace and order services, are also firm partners of DENR in looking out for the preservation and conservation of our environment and natural resources.

Thank you, Sirs!

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Published: 18 November 2022

Heading towards further mutually beneficial mergence, the DENR XI, through the running of RED Bagani Fidel Evasco conducted a site visit at San Miguel Consolidated Power Corporation (SMCPC), the energy arm of San Miguel Corporation, in Malita, Davao Occidental and had a dialogue with its officials.

The director aimed on taking a look on the environmental compliance of said energy and power conglomerate to which, the officials readily concurred. With the top officials of PENRO Davao Occidental, the DENR team was toured around SMCPC’s 300 MW Malita Power Plant with Circulating Fluidized Bed Technology.

Subsequently, the team, accompanied by field officials and personnel of PENRO Davao del Sur also visited the company’s Cement Grinding Manufacturing Plant, Oro Cemento, in Darong, Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur, with processes involving clinker storage and handling, raw material storage and handling, cement grinding, storage, and dispatch.

Accordingly, the air quality of SMCPC and Oro Cemento passed the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Source-Specific Air Pollutants.

While DENR-Environmental Management Bureau (EMB-XI) report also show that SMCPC’s water quality likewise passed the General Effluent Standards (GES) for Class SB. Whilst Oro Cemento which is commissioning to pre-operation phase continually regulates their air pollution emission and wastewater generation.

Site visit on plants and other business establishments is one of the periodical activities of the DENR XI to ensure that their operations conform to the environmental laws and regulations.

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Published: 09 November 2022