DENR Regions XIII, XI, and X Strengthen Collaboration on Forest Protection

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources XIII, XI, and X have strengthened their partnership to protect the forests within the boundaries of the three regions in a meeting hosted by the DENR Caraga on March 18, 2024, at Almont Inland Resort, Butuan City.

Dubbed the Inter-Regional Forest Protection Meeting, the event was participated by DENR top officials in Mindanao headed by Assistant Secretary for Field Operations- Eastern Mindanao, Ruth M. Tawantawan; the Regional Executive Directors (REDs) and Assistant Regional Directors (ARDs) for Technical Services of the three regions; concerned PENROs, CENROs, and their forest protection and law enforcement officers who demonstrated their unwavering commitment to environmental stewardship.

Asec. Tawantawan in her message, emphasized the instruction of the DENR Secretary, Maria Antonia Yulo Loyzaga, to "use the power of collaboration in daily endeavors.”

Meanwhile, the DENR Caraga Regional Executive Director (RED), Nonito M. Tamayo stressed the importance of the partnership between the three regions in protecting the forest within the tri-boundary. “We aim to harmonize our campaign, as it is crucial in maximizing human and financial resources to address the situation effectively,” he said.

"The existence of this tri-boundary meeting itself is a testament to our resolve that we can do better in curbing illegal logging when we stand united," Tamayo added.

Highlighting the event was the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between DENR Region XIII, XI, and X, for the “Reconstitution of the Inter-Regional Task Force, its Technical Working Group and Committees.”

Signing the MOA were Director Ruel N. Sorilla, ELEPS and Ground Commander, Manila Baywalk Dolomite Beach in Concurrent Capacity; RED Nonito M. Tamayo of DENR-XIII, RED Atty. Ma. Mercedes V. Dumagan of DENR-XI, RED Henry A. Adornado of DENR-X, ARDs Maritess M. Ocampo and Victor T. Billones, of DENR-XIII and XI, respectively.

The MOA intends to strengthen the Anti-Illegal Logging Tri-Boundary efforts in Region XIII, XI, and X being the Timber Corridor of the Philippines.

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