Press Releases

In an exciting development, the 4th Corridor Alliance Advisory Committee (CAAC) Meeting successfully convened at the Insular Waterfront Hotel in Davao City on October 24, 2023.

The gathering brought together a distinguished assembly of CAAC members and stakeholders committed to the integrated management of biodiversity corridors in the Philippines. The meeting is a vibrant platform for constructive dialogue and collaboration to ensure sustainable development and biodiversity conservation.

The meeting's agenda encompassed essential updates regarding the Biodiversity Corridor Project, Sustainable Forest Management (SFM), and Sustainable Land Management (SLM). In-depth discussions centered on the result of the meeting as participants outlined strategies for the way forward.

Aligned with the CAAC's dedication to its mission, benchmarking, rapid assessments, and consultations were conducted on the Biodiversity Ecotourism Corridor (BETC). These activities, which took place in Davao de Oro and Davao Oriental, provided valuable insights into the vibrant ecotourism sites within the Eastern Mindanao Biodiversity Corridor (EMBC).

The 4th CAAC Meeting reflects the committee's unwavering commitment to safeguarding biodiversity and promoting sustainable development. By sharing insights and fostering collaborative efforts, the committee aims to guide the path toward a future where nature and human progress coexist harmoniously.

DENR Caraga Assistant Regional Director (ARD) for Technical Services Maritess M. Ocampo, who presided over the meeting on behalf of Regional Executive Director Nonito M. Tamayo, extended her heartfelt appreciation to all the dedicated individuals, government offices, local government units (LGUs), and partners who played a crucial role in facilitating the thriving dialogue. "Your commitment serves as a driving force in our collective journey toward a more sustainable and equitable tomorrow," ARD Ocampo said.

In anticipation of the upcoming 50th Anniversary of the Career Executive Service (CES) Board this November 2023, Regional Executive Director (RED) Nonito M. Tamayo, CESO III, of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Caraga Region, initiated a heartwarming ComPASSION (Community Passion) Project at the Por Cristo Foundation, Inc, in Barangay Abilan, Buenavista, Agusan del Norte on October 27, 2023.

The Compassion Project is a "shared commitment of the CES community to serve the people in a passionate response." Designed to make a difference in the lives of Filipinos, the program "caters to issues concerning people, the planet, prosperity, peace, and partnership in the hope of transforming lives and futures." The primary goal of this project is to showcase the underlying public figure of senior servant leaders in the government by displaying dedication to public service and excellent stewardship. 

As a member of the DENR-Association of Career Executives (DENR ACE), RED Tamayo's project, in line with the ComPASSION Program, is to cater to the needs of the abandoned and neglected elderly persons at Por Cristo Foundation, Incorporated (PCFI), by instilling a culture of compassion and empathy among fellow public servants, fostering a sense of care and understanding of the needs of the community, and encouraging his subordinates and the community members to participate in similar compassion projects, creating a ripple effect of positive change.

RED Tamayo led his team in handing out the donation, consisting of boxes of daily basic needs, hygiene kits, medicines, and a wheelchair for the 30 elderly persons currently housed at the PCFI.

"May this project signify a milestone of our unwavering dedication and consistent effort here in Por Cristo Foundation, Inc. to share our blessings and address the needs of the most vulnerable in our society,” RED Tamayo said in his message during the activity. He also encouraged other DENR officers to support the institution, making it their commitment to themselves and to God. 

The PENR and CENR Officers, Division Chiefs, and Staff of the DENR Caraga who joined RED Tamayo in the activity also showed support by signifying their commitment to building a consistent service at Por Cristo Foundation, Inc.

Meanwhile, PCFI Director Fr. Ronnie Licayan thanked the leadership of RED Tamayo for bringing the Compassion project to the Por Cristo, saying that the activity is an answer to their prayers as the institution depends only on the generosity of private individuals and groups.

The ComPassion Project of the CESB is a testament to the enduring commitment of public servants, to positively impact the lives of those they serve.

The Forest Management Bureau (FMB) in partnership with the Community Based Forest Management (CBFM) Unit of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)- Caraga facilitated a Multi-Stakeholder Regional Action and Communication Planning in support of the updated CBFM Strategic Plan 2023-2032 last October 16-20, 2023, at Golden Tara, Balanghai Hotel, Butuan City.

The event was actively participated by various stakeholders from the Department of Trade Industry (DTI)), Local Government Units, Private Businesses, and the CBFM People’s Organizations (CBFM-POs) in the Caraga Region.

The Regional Action and Communication Planning Workshop aimed to establish significant relationships between stakeholders and CBFM-POs to drive more success for the POs’ enterprises and achieve their desired results while managing the forest with economic stability and environmental sustainability in less time. 

Regional Executive Director, Nonito M. Tamayo, in his message during the event, said, “The CBFM Strategic Plan 2023-2032 represents a pivotal moment in our region’s effort to conserve and manage our forests responsibly. By crafting a robust and inclusive action and communication plan, we aim to address the multifaceted challenges facing our forests”.

Our forests are a shared heritage, and our collective responsibility is to protect and nurture them, he added.

The one-week-long event signifies a shared effort of the department to increase livelihood opportunities while maintaining biodiversity conservation sensibly.

The 2023 Siargao Islands Protected Landscape and Seascape (SIPLAS) Week was concluded with the successful conduct of the Culmination Night at the Municipal Convention Center of Del Carmen, Surigao del Norte, on October 13, 2023, with an inspiring event dedicated to promoting environmental advocacies through youth empowerment. 

The event brought together Local Government Units (LGUs) and major stakeholders to participate in and support the remarkable talent show of the youth. The event highlighted a series of competitions aimed to recognize and foster young talents to become advocates for the environment. 

The contests included “Hiyas sa SIPLAS,” the young women who participate in this platform serve as inspirational leaders and role models to their communities as agents of environmental conservation and promotion; “Huni sa SIPLAS,” a singing competition with original music composition highlighting the importance of the impacts of climate change or express concern for the environment and importance of youth as front-liners in biodiversity conservation; and “Sajaw sa SIPLAS,” a dance competition infused with the spirit of environmental message.

“I believe that the youth, as our future leaders, have the power to drive positive change and protect the natural beauty of Siargao for generations to come,” said Samuel L. Malayao, the Protected Area Superintendent of PAMO-SIPLAS.

"This event would not be possible without the support of the nine (9) Local Government Units in Siargao, the major stakeholders including USAID-SIBOL, SIKAT, Inc., RARE Philipines, STOA, Lokal Lab, Inc., Surigao del Norte State University (SNSU), Philippine National Police (PNP), Philippine National Police (PNP)-Maritime, and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), all the youth leaders and students and the organizers," he added.

The SIPLAS Culmination Night was a testament to the unity and dedication of the Siargao community in safeguarding the jewel of Siargao Island. 

𝐇𝐈𝐘𝐀𝐒 𝐍𝐀𝐍 𝐒𝐈𝐏𝐋𝐀𝐒 𝐖𝐈𝐍𝐍𝐄𝐑𝐒

Hiyas nan SIPLAS 2023 - Ms. Ethel Mel M. Escobal (Sta. Monica) 

1st Runner Up - Ms. Mery Rose E. Macabodbod (Del Carmen) 

2nd Runner Up - Ms. Aira Mae C. Gallano (San Benito) 

𝐇𝐔𝐍𝐈 𝐒𝐀 𝐒𝐈𝐏𝐋𝐀𝐒 𝐖𝐈𝐍𝐍𝐄𝐑𝐒

1st Prize – Sta. Monica

2nd Prize - Del Carmen 

3rd Prize – San Benito

𝐒𝐀𝐉𝐀𝐖 𝐒𝐀 𝐒𝐈𝐏𝐋𝐀𝐒 𝐖𝐈𝐍𝐍𝐄𝐑𝐒

1st Prize - San Benito NHS Bugsay Lajag Performing Arts 

2nd Prize – San Isidro 

3rd Prize – AnyBodyCanDance (ABCD) Troup- Del Carmen

As part of the 2023 Siargao Islands Protected Landscape and Seascape (SIPLAS) Week and 27th anniversary of the SIPLAS celebration, the DENR Caraga, through the Protected Area Management Office of SIPLAS, facilitated two (2) Youth Summits consecutively conducted on October 11-12, 2023.
 
Cluster 1 was held at the Convention Center of the Municipality of San Isidro, while the venue for Cluster 2 was Kawa Resort, General Luna.
 
The stirring summit brought together young leaders, students, and teachers from the nine (9) municipalities of Siargao and Bucas Grande Islands to discuss, collaborate, and drive positive environmental change.
 
The participating schools and organizations include San Isidro National High School, Sapao National High School, and San Benito National High School, under Cluster 1, and Dapa National High School, Siargao National Science High School, General Luna National High School, Del Carmen National High School, Socorro National High School, Surigao del Norte State University (SNSU), Sea Movement Youth and Bucas Grande Island Youth Movement Association for Cluster 2.
 
The event included exciting activities such as Pawikan Game Cards, Quiz Bee, Charades, Puzzle, Mystery Box, and Tukaa na, dubbed as “Eco-Challenge,” designed to introduce the youth to the various environmental challenges of today like biodiversity loss, pollution, climate change and to harness and stimulate collaboration among them to help solve these problems/challenges.
 
The series of environmental lectures highlighted the significant learnings from the environmental challenges and some shared personal and organizational level practices, as discussed in the Overview of SIPLAS (status of natural resources, biodiversity, and issues) by Ms. Gelanie L. Superada, Environmental Stewardship presented by Mr. Joseph G. Navarro, and DENR Youth Desk Program shared by DENR Caraga Youth Desk Officer Communications Development Officer II Maria Catherine G. Yu.
 
Protected Area Superintendent, Samuel L. Malayao expressed his gratitude to the non-government organizations, namely, USAID-SIBOL and SIKAT, Incorporated, for their utmost support as partners in the environmental campaign, especially to the youth.
 
The SIPLAS Youth Summit is an annual activity that promises to be a transformative event that aims to inspire and empower the youth to shape a brighter environmental future.