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DENR-7 RED Maximo O. Dichoso answered queries from the media during an NGP event attended by groups from the academe and City government .
In this Issue
DENR 7 leads Implementation of NGP Cebu firms join Adopt-a-River program New DENR-7 Regional Executive Director Tree Plantation Project for fashion accessories RTD Tawantawan assumes PAWCZMS post Tree Plantation Project for fashion accessories DENR-GAD 7 Observes Womens Month Tarp-to-Tree Launched to mark World Water Day Adopt-a-Mojon program gets support Road Widening to Displace Century-Old Trees Creation of Working Committees for CCPL ICRMP Distributes Equipment to boost up Coastal Protection DENR urges public to join Earth Hour DENR, Capitol, Consolacion to Firm Up Forestry Land Use Plan MGB-7 to enhance danger area maps Mining Companies Spent Millions for Community Projects
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The
Department of Environment and Natural Resources has installed Regional Executive Director Maximo O. Dichoso as the new head of DENR Region 7 Central Visayas. The turn-over ceremony on January, 2011 at the DENR 7 Training Hall was witnessed by Atty. Ernesto Adobo, DENR Undersecretary for Field Operations RED Dichoso replaced RED Leonardo R. Sibbaluca who was transferred to DENR Region 13 (CARAGA) as Regional Executive Director.
Dichoso, a native of Guimba, Nueva Ecija with latest assignment as RED in DENR Region 10, is a Career Executive Service Officer III. His 35 years in government service earned him considerable awards and recognitions: Outstanding Forester of 2005 by the Society of Filipino Foresters; Outstanding Performance Award in 1997 as Community Environment and Natural Resources Officer; Outstanding Performance Rating by the Career Executive Service Board in 2008; Outstanding Public Service Awards given by UPLB College of Forestry and Natural Resources in April 2010, and Outstanding 2010 Alumni Award (Government Service) during the Centennial Anniversary celebration at Central Mindanao University. He obtained his degree in Bachelor of Science in Forestry major in Forest Resource Management from Central Mindanao University. He further acquired his MS degree in Forestry major in Silviculture and Forest Influences at the University of the Philippines, Los Baos Laguna in 1983. In his acceptance speech, Dichoso outlined six priority areas endorsed by DENR Secretary Ramon J.P. Paje: 1) Eliminate opportunities for graft and corruption, 2) Clean Air, 3) Clean Water, 4) Ensure compliance to environmental regulations, 5) Optimize benefits from land resources, and 6) Optimize benefits from mining. Dichoso further said that Secretary Paje was forthright on fighting graft and corruption at the DENR using the word playground as a metaphor which, he said, he will remove with a well-defined anti-corruption measures. We need to pursue meaningful partnership and collaboration with the private sector and local government units (LGUs) to enable us to strengthen our tuwid na daan or good governance programs, Dichoso said. He likewise emphasized
turn to page 12 (New DENR 7.)
RTD Melana turns-over the key of responsibility to incoming OIC RTD for PAWCZMS Ruth Tawantawan.
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identification and preparation, tree planting and caring of trees, social mobilization and extension services, monitoring and evaluation, and community development. Specifically, Dichoso said the nationwide goal of NGP is to plant 1.5 billion trees in some 1.5 million hectares from 2011 to 2016, which is more than twice the governments accomplishment of 730,000 hectares for the past 25 years. For Central Visayas, a total of 2.816 million seedlings will be planted this year to cover 7,499 hectares of forestlands, protected areas, and other suitable lands of the public domain. Dichoso also explained that the NGP is a collective effort and is counting on peoples participation through social mobilization by drawing partnership with all national government agencies, LGUs, government owned and controlled corporations, including state colleges and universities to harness maximum participation through their personnel complement. NGP aims to pursue poverty reduction, food security, land productivity, environmental stability and sustainability, climate change mitigation and adaptation, and value formation.
RED Dichoso during the MOA signing of the Adopt-a-River or Estero Program.
waterways which have become threats to public health and safety because of pollution and cloggings, Dichoso said. Most of these are tributaries of lakes, seas and oceans, and with the astounding amount of garbage we always collect during cleanup drives, maintaining cleaner waterways should be a collective priority, he added. He likewise mentioned the reported La Nia this year as another reason why Linis Estero Program should be undertaken in other areas within the region at the soonest possible time. We have seen and heard reports of flooding elsewhere. It may be safe to say that some of these were caused by clogged waterways, especially in urban centers, Dichoso said. The program aims to institutionalize good sanitation and solid wastes management practices among the river or estero communities through education and actual participation in the program thereby reducing incidence of water-related diseases and those associated with poor sanitation such as cholera, diarrhea, and dengue, particularly among children.
Rivers are places that renew our spirit, connect us with our past, and link us directly with the flow and rhythm of the natural world. (T.
Turner, The Rivers of South Carolina)
Along
with the city governments of Cebu and Mandaue, eleven Cebu-based industrial firms, namely: Cenapro Chemical Corporation; Concrete Solutions Inc.; Maritrans Recycler Inc.; JLR Construction and Aggregates Inc.; Lami Food Products Corporation; Profood International Inc.; Treasure Island Industrial Corporation; Primary Homes Inc.; GreenCoil Industries Inc.; Sunpride Foods Inc., and Cebu Holdings Inc. entered into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with DENR Region 7 represented by Regional Executive Director Maximo O. Dichoso last March 25, 2011 for the Adopt-a-River or Estero through the Linis Estero Program. They pledged to undertake clean-up and other rehabilitation activities in Butuanon and Guadalupe Rivers and tributaries.
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Medellin Mayor Ricardo R. Ramirez signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with DENR-7 for the Adopt-A-Mojon program. With Mayor Ramirez are DENR officials and staff.
on. Mayor Ricardo R. Ramirez of the municipality of Medellin, Cebu formalized his support to Adopt-aMojon Program having entered a Memorandum of Agreement with DENR for the same on February 17, 2011.
Removal of trees affected by infra projects can be through earth-balling or cutting. However, when establishing infrastructure projects, removal of the trees should be the last option and the design of the projects should complement the presence of existing vegetation, Dichoso said. The CENRO office concerned shall conduct the necessary inspection and evaluation of the area including the inventory of trees covered by the application to determine the necessity to remove, prune or trim the trees, he added. Accordingly, a road widening project affecting alleged century-old trees would start from Naga City to Carcar City and would cost about P27 million. It shall be undertaken by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). Generally, trees and other vegetation, both planted and naturally-growing, with diameter of 15 centimeters and below may be earth-balled. The transplanting of earthballed trees shall be the obligation of the permittee, to be conducted in an area jointly pre-identified with the DENR. They shall maintain and protect the transplanted tree for a period of at least one year.
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strict protection and multiple-use instead of five zones before. The Central Cebu Protected Landscape (CCPL) under Republic Act No. 9486 approved on June 7, 2007 covers a consolidated area of 28,312 hectares consisting of the Buhisan Watershed Forest Reserve, Mananga Watershed Forest Reserve, Sudlon National Park, Central Cebu National Park and the Kotkot-Lusaran Watershed Forest Reserve located in the cities of Cebu, Talisay, Toledo and Danao, and in the municipalities of Minglanilla, Consolacion, Liloan, Compostela, and Balamban. We would like to emphasize here that the protection, conservation and management of CCPL is a collective and joint efforts among LGUs, NGOs, business sectors and other stakeholders through the PAMB and DENR only sits as its chair and provides technical assistance and administrative
The eight (8) working committees with assigned chairman as approved by CCPL-PAMB are: Research and Policy, Renato de Rueda of Cebu Biodiversity Conservation Foundation Inc.; Project and Infrastructure, Socorro RED Maximo O. Dichoso discussed Atega of Cebu Uniting for certain issues with ANAD Partylist Sustainable Water; Conflict Representative, Jun Alcover during and Legal Services, Joy the CCPL-PAMB meeting. Caceres of Environmental support, Legal Assistance Center; Capacity-Building and Dichoso Promotion, Aida Granert of Soil and Water Conservation Foundation; Monitoring and Evaluation, Junie Montenegro of the Cebu Provincial Planning and Development Office; Economic and Social, Jessie Cubijano of Philippine Business of Social Progress; Ways and Means, Armando Paredes of Metro Cebu Water District; and Natural Resources and Law Enforcement, Jose Gapas of Mag-uugmad Foundation. Each committee will have a maximum of five members to include the chairman and vice chairman. Dichoso added, the CCPL-PAMB will prepare a revised CCPL Management Plan attuned to the existing needs and environmental protection requirements specially that delineation of boundaries on the ground will hopefully be completed this year. We have committees to study and subsequently conduct the survey and prepare the management plan in coordination with concerned offices, he said. The updated Management Plan will also include areas or zones
RED Dichoso administers the Oath of Membership to CUSW Executive Director Socorro Atega as a new member of CCPL-PAMB.
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Other Activities:
Kiddiehaus Educational Tour at DENR-7
The KiddieHaus and Gopher Wood Learning Centers visited DENR-7 as part of its Educational Tour last February 11 and March 17, 2011 held at the Training Hall , Banilad, Mandaue City. Close to 100 students participated during the lectures conducted by the Regional Public Affairs Office (RPAO) and Ecosystems Research and Development Service (ERDS) staff to instill environmental awareness on the young minds. The lecture focused on the following topics: Solid Waste Management,; Climate Change; VermiComposting and the DENR Priority Thrusts and Programs. It also mentioned about the services rendered to LGUs, academe, partners and other stakeholders.
The University of Cebu Junior Jaycees Inc., a Federation of Young Leaders and Entrepreneurs is currently undertaking a project dubbed as Polystyrene Cups: Save the Environment, Save the Planet Earth, in cooperation with DENR-7. The members of the UCJJC turned over nearly 3,000 plastic cups to DENR. The DENR expressed appreciation to the UC JJC by signing a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) as partner in pursuing the preservation of our environment and its active participation in the National Greening Program. The UCJJC expressed willingness to help and provide assistance in whatever environmental programs or activities of the department they can best serve.
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DENR-7 RED Maximo O. Dichoso together with PAWCZMS Regional Technical Director Ruth M. Tawantawan interacted with the members of the media during the turn-over of ICT equipment to 26 municipalities of Central Visayas enrolled in ICRMP.
Lands Management Service (LMS) Regional Technical Director (RTD) Diana Apistar (left) introduced RED Maximo Dichoso to the Hon. Mayor of Cebu City, Michael Rama during the Orientation with the Cebu City LGU Officials on RA 10023 an Act Authorizing the Issuance of Free Patents to Residential Lands on January 14, 2011 at Radisson Blu Hotel, Cebu City
DENR 7 RED Maximo O. Dichoso (extreme left) met with officials from PNP 7, AFP-Central Command, NBI-7, Naval Forces Central, and the Philippine Coastal Guard for an organizational meeting for the creation and operationalization of the Regional Anti-Illegal Task Force
DENR 7 RED Maximo O. Dichoso and Hon. Mayor Thadeo Z. Ouano of Mandaue City during the Capability Building of Local Environment and Natural Resource Officers (ENROs) and preparation of Environment Code Seminar - Workshop on February 3-4, 2011.
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Cebu FAME Foundation Inc. is implementing a Go Green Project, a five-year activity which intends to replenish the wood-based natural resources particularly those species utilized for fashion accessories like Mamalis (white wood), Sibukao (red wood) and the like. BTFAI in Borbon, Cebu is the 3rd and this CY 2011 CBFM PO beneficiary of Cebu FAMEs Go Green Project. A total of 30,000 seedlings will be planted in 10 Has. CBFM area of BTFAI within the five-year period for a total operation cost of PhP310,082.00. This will hopefully sum to 35 Has. tree plantation for fashion accessories of Cebu FAME Go Green Project Dichoso said that such partnership with FAME and Borbon Tree Farmers Association demonstrates an expression to contribute for the protection and maintenance of the environment in collective effort, at the same time, addressing the needs of our peoples organization for a modest income by growing and maintaining trees.
Borbon, Cebu. Signatories were DENR Regional Executive Director Maximo O. Dichoso, Cebu FAME President Janet U.
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MOA signing during the Tarp-to-Tree project launching with Aboitiz Equity Ventures Inc. and Barangay Inayagan, City of Naga, Cebu on March 22, 2011.
300 volunteers from the academe, local government units, national government agencies, business sectors and other stakeholders participated in the launching of Tarp-to-Tree project and community tree planting in Barangay Inagayan, Naga City, Cebu in celebration of the world water day (WWD) on March 22, 2011. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) 7, Aboitiz Equity Ventures Inc. and Barangay Local Government Unit of Inayagan, Naga City, Cebu signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the Tarp-to-Tree project which includes tree planting, development and maintenance of a five-hectare tree plantation in Barangay Inayagan, Naga City, Cebu. The project collects used tarpaulin materials in exchange for tree species. Specifically, Dichoso said the goal is to plant 1.5 billion trees in some 1.5 million hectares from 2011 to 2016, which is more than twice the governments accomplishment of 730,000 hectares for the past 25 years. For Central Visayas, a total of 2.816 million seedlings will be planted this year to cover 7,499 hectares of forest lands, protected areas and other suitable lands of the public domain. Water quality is improved as trees take up nutrients and pollutants as they grow, and water tables are recharged as they allow the rainwater to percolate down the aquifers, Dichoso explained.
Around
RTD Tawantawan of PAWCZMS (extreme left) and RED Dichoso (extreme right) during the turn-over ceremony.
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of 201 priority coastal barangays in Sibonga, Carcar, San Fernando, Naga City, Minglanilla, Talisay City and Cebu City, all in Cebu Province; and Vallehermoso, Guihulngan, La Libertad, Jimalaud, Tayasan, Ayungon, Bindoy, Manjuyod, Bais City, Tanjay, Amlan, San Jose, Sibulan, Dumaguete City, Bacong, Dauin, Zamboangita, and Siaton, all in Negros Oriental Province at a scale of 1:10,000. The geohazard maps will then be distributed to concerned local government units with intensive information and education campaign support and training of local officials, local leaders and members of s u b j e c t communities.
Further, Alburo said that under the project, MGB will also conduct coastal geohazard assessment and mapping
"Geohazards" are events caused by geological features and processes that present severe threats to humans, property and the natural and built environment. Earthquakes, floods, landslides, volcanoes, avalanches and tsunamis are typical examples of such events. Landslides, caused by heavy rainfall, flood, earthquake, erosion, and human activities, are the most common geohazards on land.
Nearly 11.3 million pesos or 122.13% of its annual allotment of 9.2 million pesos was spent by large scale mining
companies in Central Visayas from January to December 2010 for various social development programs geared towards improving the quality of lives of the host and neighboring communities. Out of which, 90.61% or 10.201 million pesos are spent by mining companies in Cebu Province. Carmen Copper Corporation in Toledo City, Cebu topped the list with Php3.373 million; Philippine Mining Service Corporation-Alcoy Dolomite Mine/Dolomite Mining Corporation in Alcoy, Php1.523 million; Apo Cement Corporation/Apo Land & Quarry Corporation in City of Naga with Php2.875 million; JLR Construction & Aggregates Inc. in City of Naga, Php908,070; Taiheiyo Cement Philippines Inc./Solid Earth Development Corporation in San Fernando, Php1.129 million; Philippine Mining Service Corporation-Bohol Mine/Bohol Limestone Corporation in Garcia-Hernandez, Bohol, Php1.057 million; and Quarry Ventures Philippines Inc. in City of Naga, Cebu with Php393,325.00 DENR-Mines and Geosciences Bureau-7 Regional Director Loreto B. Alburo explained, we have been conducting close monitoring and supervision of these social development projects to ensure that the benefits of mining will be felt by the communities. He added, DENR Secretary Ramon JP Paje has directed us to ensure that communities will enjoy a reasonable and equitable share from these mining operations through the implementation of livelihood programs and has issued instructions to closely monitor mining companies to ensure full compliance to the provisions of Republic Act 7942 or the Philippine Mining Act of 1995.
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Our environment, the world in which we live and work, is a mirror of our attitudes and expectations
New DENR-7 Regional Executive Director
continued from page 2
the need to focus on this six-point agenda without compromising other DENR programs for the coming years to better respond to the persistent issues in the environment and natural resources sector. We will be convening the non-government organizations and other stakeholders for a dialogue or forum to thresh out issues and concerns and work for a common stand for the protection of the environment, Dichoso added. ///
The United Nations-led International Year of the Forests (IYF) focuses on reforestation and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions for the primary benefit of some 25 million Filipino upland dwellers, considered among the "poorest of the poor" in the country. According to DENR Secretary Ramon J.P. Paje, the observance of the International Year of the Forest in the Philippines not only serves as a catalyst for raising global awareness of the urgent need to protect the planets fragile forest resources, but more importantly, our festivities should focus on the need for reforestation and reducing gas emissions while supporting people and biodiversity for the primary benefit of Filipinos especially those in the
Editorial Board
RED Maximo O. Dichoso, CESO III
Managing Director
RTD Isabelo R. Montejo RTD Diana R. Apistar OIC-RTD Emma E. Melana OIC - RTD Ruth M. Tawantawan
Editorial Consultants
Eddie E. Llamedo
Editor-in-Chief
Maricita S. Cabasa, Theodora D. de Leon, Ann F. Jumawan, Stephanie Ave Q. Chan, Vinesse S.A. Molina, Erna E. Arranguez
Writers/Contributors