DENR Undersecretary for Field Operations-Mindanao Joselin Marcus E. Fragada has committed to support the newly formed volunteer group in Surigao del Norte called Bantay Barangay Movement (BBM), a Program for the Promotion of Kaligtasan and Preservation of Kalikasan on July 27, 2023.

Undersecretary Fragada expressed his commitment during his message as he graced the orientation program for the group, facilitated by the Surigao del Norte (SDN) Provincial Peace and Order Council held at the Provincial Convention Center, Capitol Compound in Surigao City.

 The volunteer program has three clusters, namely: Siargao Cluster, Surigao City Cluster, and the Mainland Cluster.  The 1,500 volunteers will focus on environmental protection, preservation, and safety of the community, and the visitors in their area of responsibility, thereby supporting the government and non-government organizations’ efforts in implementing environmental laws and assisting in public safety services.

Usec Fragada and Regional Executive Director (RED) Nonito M. Tamayo said the DENR will conduct training that will lead to the deputation of the volunteers, giving the authority to enforce applicable environmental laws.

 Usec Fragada also emphasized the importance of proper solid waste management and the establishment of sanitary landfills. He proposed clustering the municipalities, with three towns per cluster, including the host, and the DENR and the municipal LGUs will collaborate in this endeavor.

SDN Governor Robert Lyndon S. Barbers also committed the provincial LGU will take charge of waste collection.

Aside from Usec Fragada, the following officials also gave messages:  SDN PNP Provincial Director PCOL Laudemer M. Laude, SDN 2nd District Representative Hon. Robert Ace S. Barbers, SDN Vice-Governor Hon. Eddie "Geed" D. Gokiangke, Jr., who gave the welcome message, and SDN Governor Hon. Robert Lyndon S. Barbers, who delivered an inspirational message.

The orientation included the presentation of the Rationale of the BBM by DILG SDN Provincial Director, Domingo E. Bulabog; BBM Roles and Responsibility by PNP-Police SDN Provincial Office Police Community Affairs Development Unit Chief PLTCOL Joel V. Liong; Protecting our Environment – RA 9003 by EMS II Regin Rex Guerra; Anti-Quarrying -- RA 7942 by PENRO-LGU and Provincial Governor's Chief of Staff Mr. Oscar Pospia, Jr.