The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)- CARAGA Region led a momentous event dubbed “HR @ UR SERVICE” held at the DENR-CARAGA compound in Ambago, Butuan City, on September 22, 2023, to cater to the needs of its employees.
The event was part of the 123rd celebration of the Philippine Civil Service Month for CY 2023, which strives to provide convenient access to essential services offered by national government agencies and other service providers. Bringing these services directly to the DENR employees streamlines administrative processes and enhances employee well-being.
A total of five (5) government and private entities graced the event, namely, PhilHealth, the Social Security System (SSS), the Land Transportation Office (LTO), the Department of Agriculture's KADIWA, and "Mother's Touch-Hilot Massage." Other individuals from the private business sector, such as apparel, food, health, and beauty services providers, were also present.
Prioritizing employees' well-being benefits them and the organizations by improving productivity, retention, engagement, and overall workplace satisfaction.
DENR Caraga spearheaded another major coastal cleanup event across the region from September 9-20, 2023, to mark the local observance of the International Coastal Cleanup Day and Philippine National Cleanup Month with the theme “Clean Seas for Healthy Fisheries.”
The endeavor successfully collected a total of 797 sacks weighing 6,486.75 kilograms of non-biodegradable waste from an aggregate span of 16,891.8 meters within the 22 cleanup sites, within coastal areas, creeks, and river banks in the region, which is a notable step towards the preservation of the region’s coastal ecosystems.
The Coastal Ecosystem is home to many marine plants and animals and provides valuable resources to humankind.
As the primary agency enforcing environmental conservation, the DENR leads the celebration of the International Coastal Cleanup Day every 3rd Saturday of September in the Philippines according to Presidential Proclamation No. 470 series of 2003. The event aimed to raise awareness about the environmental impact of marine litter, engaging communities and promoting sustainable practices in coastal areas.
DENR-Caraga, Regional Executive Director (RED), Nonito M. Tamayo, expressed his gratitude to all the participants at the Coastal Cleanup held at Barangay La Fraternidad, Tubay, Agusan del Norte last September 16. “May this Simultaneous Coastal Cleanup encourage us to lead by example. Influence others actively in cleanup efforts, promote eco-friendly practices, and be the change you want to see in the world. Let us not only clean up our environment today but also in the coming days to sustain livelihood in our local communities and prevent the eradication of coastal pollution,” RED Tamayo said.
The collaborative efforts of some 2,811 participants, comprising 1,545 males and 1,266 females from local communities, educational institutions, business sectors, national government agencies, local government units, and concerned individuals in the region, contributed to restoring and protecting the coastal environment.
Most trash collected during the celebration were cigarette butts, beverage bottles, food wrappers, bottle caps, grocery bags, food containers, cups, plates, straws, and stirrers.
Other areas subjected to cleanup were Patin-ay Creek, Brgy. Patin-ay in Prosperidad, Overview, Purok-4, Sta. Irene in Bayugan City, Sitio Ilang-Ilang, Brgy. San Mariano in Loreto, Brgy. New Visayas creek, New Visayas in Trento, and Purok 2B, Brgy. Doña Flavia in San Luis, all of Agusan del Sur; Brgy. Poblacion in Carmen, Brgy. Poblacion in Buenavista, District 7, Brgy. Punta, and So. Lahi, Brgy. Sta. Ana in Nasipit, and Brgys. Lumbocan and Masao in Butuan City, all Agusan del Norte; Brgy. San Fernando and Brgy. Poblacion in Bislig City, Sitio Pugad, Brgy. Payasan in Lianga, Brgy. San Pedro in Cantilan, Coastline along Brgys. Mabua and Rosario in Tandag City and Brgy. Victoria in Tago all of Surigao del Sur; Brgy. Sta. Cruz in San Jose, Province of Dinagat Islands; Sitio Looc, Brgy. Punta Bilar and Surigao City Boulevard in Surigao City, Brgy. Union in Dapa, and Brgy. Sampaguita in Taganaan all of Surigao del Norte.
The accomplishment of the Simultaneous Coastal Cleanup in the region aids a call to action, a call to responsibility, and a call to unity to create a profound and lasting difference for a cleaner and healthier environment. (ASCS)
In a remarkable display of unity and environmental stewardship, local communities, government agencies, non-government organizations, and concerned individuals in the CARAGA Region joined hands to participate in the conduct of a Nationwide Simultaneous Bamboo and Tree Planting event, where a total of 1,187 participants planted 4,621 bamboo and forest tree seedlings, with an aggregate area of 15.53 hectares in the 14 planting sites within the five provinces of the region on September 13, 2023.
The planting event coincides with His Excellency President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr.’s natal day.
Often referred to as “Green Gold,” bamboo holds massive potential for sustainable development, with usage ranging from construction and agriculture to environmental conservation. Recognizing this implication, Presidential Proclamation No. 1401 dated June 27, 2022, declared September of every year as “Philippine Bamboo Month”. This year’s celebration is themed “Buong Bansa Magtanim: Kawayan para sa Kalikasan, Kabuhayan, Kaunlaran at Kinabukasan!”
As part of its continuous commitment to environmental conservation and protection, DENR-CARAGA organized and coordinated the Simultaneous Bamboo and Tree Planting event, drawing active support from stakeholders of the various sectors. This significant event aimed to raise awareness about the myriad benefits of bamboo and its contribution to the economic and social development of the country in support of the President’s socio-economic agenda with a tagline: Love for All: Lingap at Alagang Bayanihan.
Regional Executive Director (RED) Nonito M. Tamayo expressed his gratitude to all the participants who made the event successful.
“This Simultaneous Bamboo and Tree Planting event exemplifies the power of collaborative action to achieve economic development and mitigate climate change not only in the present generation but also to those to come. We are committed to continuing our efforts in preserving and enhancing the natural beauty of our forest areas,” RED Tamayo said in his message during the short program held at Barangay Mahayahay, Sibagat, Agusan del Sur, prior to the planting activities in the area.
"As the country celebrates the inaugural Philippine Bamboo Month this September, let this planting event serve us as an opportunity to provide an enormous benefit to the country and the people," RED Tamayo added.
Aside from Brgy. Mahayahay, Sibagat, the 14 planting area sites include Brgy. Mahayahay, Sibagat, Brgy. Poblacion, Prosperidad, Brgy. New Visayas, Trento, Brgy. Ilang-Ilang, Loreto, and Brgy. Dona Flavia, San Luis, all under the Province of Agusan del Sur, Sitio Lusong, Brgy. Puting Bato, Cabadbaran City, Sitio Makasihi, Brgy. Camagong, and Brgy. Kinabjangan, Nasipit, Agusan del Norte, Brgy. Salog, Socorro, and Brgy. Cagniog, Surigao City, Surigao del Norte, Brgy. San Roque, Bislig, Brgy. Dahican, Carrascal, Libas Sud, San Miguel, Surigao del Sur and Brgy. Cuarinta, San Jose, Province of Dinagat Islands.
Several volunteer groups of Butuan City collected some 123 sacks of solid waste, equivalent to 674 kilos, embedded along the coasts of Barangays Masao and Lumbocan, Butuan City, in two consecutive coastal clean-up activities held at the area over the weekend, September 9 and 10, 2023.
The activities aligned with the National Clean-up Month Celebration, which carries the theme “Clean Seas for Healthy Fisheries. Sustainably Feed the Global Population.”
The Philippines celebrates National Clean-up Month every September, by virtue of Presidential Proclamation No. 244 signed by then President Fidel V. Ramos in 1993.
Last Saturday, the “Save Masao River People’s Movement” led by Brigada News FM Butuan 96.7 Station Manager Carlo Guzman Dugaduga along with its advocacy partners comprising of the academe, business sector, Federation of Punong Barangays of Butuan City, church leaders, LGUs, NGOs, National Government Agencies including the DENR, had successfully gathered some 521 volunteers to clean or free the 500-kilometer stretch of the Lumbocan shoreline from solid waste. The group was able to collect a total of 300 kilograms of non-biodegradable solid wastes during the activity.
PENRO Joseph Leo E. Oconer of Agusan del Norte and CENRO Nelson B. Caranzo of Nasipit, along with Conservation and Development Division Chief Development Management Officer (DMO) V Nilda G. Ebron, DMO V Luis P. Gonzaga, and other DENR employees were present in the event.
The next day, September 10, another 141 volunteers engaged in another clean-up drive in Masao Beach. They had collected 61 sacks of non-biodegradable solid wastes weighing 374 kilos. Most of the participants were members of the World Mission Society Church of God, representatives of the Bureau of Fire Protection, and the Philippine National Police. Aside from joining the clean-up, the DENR Caraga employees also facilitated the proper documentation of the activity.
Each clean-up drive had a short program where officials from different agencies/organizations, like the DENR, were asked to speak on their advocacies and experiences in environmental protection and conservation.
DENR Caraga conducted a Dalaw Turo activity in line with the National Clean-up Month celebration with the theme “Clean Seas for Healthy Fisheries. Sustainably Feed the Global Population” at the Jose R. Magno Elementary School in Purok 6, Brgy. Sidlakan, Sto. Niño, Butuan City on September 6, 2023.
A total of 102 Grades three to five students and teachers participated in the activity comprising 56 males and 46 females.
Communications Development Officer II and Regional Youth Desk Officer Maria Catherine G. Yu discussed the importance of the celebration and how plastic pollution affects marine life. She further discussed the proper segregation of waste and some facts about the present environmental issues related to solid waste management.
Each student received a set of school supplies composed of a notebook, two ballpens, ID lace, an ID jacket, a plastic envelope, and a coloring book about the Philippine Environment.
The Philippines celebrates National Clean-up Month every September by virtue of Presidential Proclamation No. 244 signed by Pres. Fidel V. Ramos in 1993.
Meanwhile, International Coastal Clean-up Day celebrated every third Saturday of September was established by the Ocean Conservancy, an organization that works to help protect the ocean. It was established in the United States on the west coast of Washington State in 1986.
