The Protected Area Management Office (PAMO)- Siargao Island Protected Landscape and Seascape (SIPLAS) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Caraga Region organized and coordinated the 2^nd Regular Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) En Banc Meeting CY 2023, last October 9, 2023 at Bayay nan Numancia, Del Carmen, Surigao del Norte.

The event was part of the 27^th Anniversary of SIPLAS, which aimed to bring together the multi-sectoral policy-making body of Siargao Islands, to reinforce them on the necessary matters related to planning and resource protection in Siargao. 

There were 101 out of the 152 SIPLAS PAMB En Banc members in attendance which constituted a quorum, composed of the Local Chief Executives, Municipal Environment and Natural Resource Officers (MENROs), and Barangay Captains from the nine (9) municipalities in Siargao namely Del Carmen, Dapa, San Benito, Sta. Monica, Burgos, San Isidro, Pilar, General Luna and Socorro. Also present were representatives from government and private entities from the Department of Agriculture (DA)-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), United States Agency for International Development (USAID)-Science and Innovation Building Opportunities for Leverage (SIBOL), RARE Philippines, Sentro para sa ikauunlad ng Katutubong Agham at Teknolohiya (SIKAT) Incorporated, Research Triangle Institute (RTI) International, and Surigao del Norte State University.

In lieu of the Regional Executive Director who was attending an equally important activity and upon nomination and approval of the PAMB Members, Mr. Marlito T. Carduza, the authorized representative of the Honorable Municipal Mayor Riza Rafonselle T. Timcang of Socorro, presided over the meeting which was then duly approved by the body.

The major agenda included reports from the Chairpersons of the PAMB Committees on Communication, Education, Public Awareness and Partnership Development, Community Management, Sustainable Financing, Site Development and Resource Management, Biodiversity Assessment, Monitoring and Conservation Management, Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) Review, Monitoring and Evaluation, and Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) Law Enforcement.

One of the event’s highlights was the ceremonial signing of the renewal of commitment of the PAMB En Banc Members and major stakeholders to the annual SIPLAS week celebration. This showed their support to maintain and intensify collaborative efforts among the community to protect and conserve the protected landscape and seascape and prevent further destruction on the island.

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Parent Category: News & Events

Category: Press Releases

Published: 26 October 2023

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Protected Area Management Office of the Siargao Island Protected Landscape and Seascape (DENR-PAMO-SIPLAS), along with its stakeholders and partners, commemorated the protected area’s 27th Anniversary with a series of activities under the theme “SIPLAS Youth: Frontliner for Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Development” from October 9-13, 2023.

The celebration, dubbed “SIPLAS Week,” had a motorcade around the mainland of Siargao, Surigao del Norte, last October 9 as a kick-off for the weeklong event.

The Philippine National Police Marshalls from Dapa, Burgos, and Pilar Municipal Police Stations led the delegations from three (3) different routes—Route 1, from General Luna, Socorro, and Dapa; Route 2, from Pilar and San Isidro; and Route 3, from Burgos, Sta. Monica and San Benito—all leading to the town of Del Carmen, where the participants from the nine (9) Local Government Units with their respective Barangay Captains and the various stakeholders from the National Government Agencies and Non-Government Organizations in Siargao, converged at the Bayay Numancia in the said municipality. The Drum and Lyre Corps from Burgos National High School and Del Carmen National High School played an important

role in setting the tone and making the opening festive.

The second SIPLAS-Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) en banc meeting happened during the day. More than 100 SIPLAS-PAMB members attended the activity composed of the Local Chief Executives, Municipal Environment and Natural Resource Officers (MENROs), and Barangay Captains from the nine (9) municipalities in Siargao, namely, Del Carmen, Dapa, San Benito, Sta. Monica, Burgos, San Isidro, Pilar, General Luna and Socorro. Also present were the government and private entities from the Department of Agriculture (DA)-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), United States Agency for International Development (USAID)-Science and Innovation Building Opportunities for Leverage (SIBOL), RARE Philippines, Sentro para sa Ikauunlad ng Katutubong Agham at Teknolohiya (SIKAT) Incorporated, Research Triangle Institute (RTI) International, and Surigao del Norte State University.

The PAMB is the governing body of the SIPLAS as prescribed in the NIPAS Act and its amended version, ENIPAS Law.

A photo exhibit showcasing the environmental initiatives and accomplishments of the municipalities, academe, and major stakeholders of the SIPLAS was also one of the highlights of the opening of the weeklong celebration of the SIPLAS 27th anniversary at Bayay nan Numancia in Del Carmen.  The activity was a competition using recycled, reused, and indigenous materials in the most creative way possible. The municipality of San Benito bagged the Best Booth Award, while the municipalities of Sta. Monica and Del Carmen got the second and third places, respectively. 

Moreover, the PAMO-SIPLAS facilitated the SIPLAS Summit as part of the 27th Anniversary celebration.  Held at the Surigao del Norte State University (SNSU) Conference Room in Del Carmen, the summit was actively participated by the student councils and advisers of the Surigao del Norte State University (SNSU)-Del Carmen Campus and Siargao Island Institute of Technology (SIIT).

The key stakeholders of SIPLAS, including the Philippine National Police (PNP), Philippine National Police (PNP)-Maritime, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), USAID-SIBOL, SIKAT, Incorporated, RARE Philippines, STOA, and Lokal Lab, Incorporated, and the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Officers of the LGUs of Del Carmen, Burgos, and Sta Monica came together to extend their full support and share their environmental initiatives and milestones throughout the years that aim to inspire the youth to become environmental advocates.

The PAMO-SIPLAS presented recognitions to the Environmental Heroes in Siargao for their outstanding contributions to environmental law enforcement, protection, and conservation. The awardees were the personnel of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Philippine National Police (PNP)-Maritime.

The summit concluded with the presentation of Certificates of Commendation and Participation to acknowledge and appreciate the contributions of all participants and environmental partners.

Other activities of the 27th SIPLAS Week celebration were the SIPLAS Youth Summits and the Culmination Night, which showcased talents and advocacies within the protected area.

Siargao Island Protected Landscape and Seascape (SIPLAS) is the largest marine protected area in the Philippines, established through Presidential Proclamation No. 902, issued by the late President Fidel V. Ramos, on October 10, 1996.

It covers the entire Siargao Islands and Bucas Grande Group of Islands, with an aggregate area of 283,974.77 hectares, of which   221,178.77 hectares are marine areas and 62,796 hectares are terrestrial areas.

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Parent Category: News & Events

Category: Press Releases

Published: 26 October 2023

The DENR Caraga, headed by RED Nonito M. Tamayo, along with other government agencies (DSWD, CHR, DepED, NBI, Philippine Army, PNP, DOJ, and other  NGAs) and the Local Government Unit of Socorro led by Mayor Riza Rafonselle Taruc-Timcang and the Provincial Government of Surigao del Norte led by Governor Lyndon S. Barbers, supported in the conduct of interview and ocular inspection by Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs and the staff of

Senator Riza Hontiveros, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Women, Children and Family Relations and Gender Equality) and staff of Senator Koko Pimentel, on Saturday, October 14, 2023, in connection with the Senate inquiry on the allegations/controversies faced by Socorro Bayanihan Services, Inc. (SBSI) in Sitio Kapihan, Barangay Sering, Socorro, Surigao del Norte, which is part of the Siargao Islands Protected Landscape and Seascape (SIPLAS).

The officials and members of the SBSI warmly welcomed Senator Dela Rosa and his team at Sitio Kapihan.

Aside from conducting exclusive interviews and public consultation on the alleged teenage marriage and other controversies within the organization, Dela Rosa's team also had an ocular inspection of Sr. Agila's quarters and the group's cemetery.

The SBSI is holder of a Protected Area Community-Based Resource Management Agreement (PACBRMA), which the DENR granted on June 15, 2004, and will expire on June 15, 2029, covering some 353 hectares of land in Barangay Sering.

The PACBRMA, however, was suspended by the DENR last month due to some alleged violations of the terms and conditions for which an investigation is ongoing.

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Parent Category: News & Events

Category: Press Releases

Published: 17 October 2023

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Taganito HPAL Nickel Corporation, and the Community-Based Forest Management-Peoples Organization (CBFM-PO) Management of Mountains and Association of Tree Farmers (MAMATFA) Inc. entered into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) under the Adopt-a-National Greening Project (NGP) Site in line with the Project Transform or Transdisciplinary Approach for Resilience and Environmental Sustainability thru Multi-stakeholder Engagement on September 22, 2023.

DENR Caraga Regional Executive Director Nonito M. Tamayo and ARD for Technical Services Maritess M. Ocampo, together with the THPAL Technical Manager Mark Ian Espiritu and CBFM-PO MAMATFA Chairperson Matrinilo Lucida, signed the agreement in a simple ceremony held in Barangay Pili, Malimono, Surigao del Norte.

As outlined in the agreement, the DENR will be responsible for assisting the CBFM-PO in the development and rehabilitation activities within the CBFMA area as indicated in their Community Resource Management Framework and Five-Year Work Plan; conduct a joint site assessment of the area with the THPAL and the PO in survey, mapping, and planning; closely monitor and evaluate the subsequent site preparation, planting, replanting, maintenance, and protection activities of the PO; assist the PO in the preparation and submission of accomplishment reports on these activities supported with geotagged photos and maps; and validate the Statement of Work Accomplishment (SWA) as reported by the PO; and submit validation report and validated SWA to the THPAL.

The THPAL, on the other hand, committed to submit a Work and Financial Plan to be checked and reviewed by the DENR and concurred in by the PO and once approved shall form part of the agreement; attend and assist in the monitoring of the Project as scheduled by the DENR; release the fund stipulated in the approved WFP to the PO through progress billing, which shall be utilized in the implementation of the Project, including but not limited to the purchase of the seedlings; create a Project Management Team which shall conduct a joint validation and monitoring with the DENR on the accomplishments of the PO in the development and rehabilitation including the maintenance and protection activities in accordance with the approved WFP as a requirement for the release of corresponding payments directly made to the PO; and consolidate validated SWA and submit an annual report to the DENR on the status of the Project with geotagged photos and maps.

Meanwhile, the tri-partite agreement specified that the CBFM-PO MAMATFA shall undertake the rehabilitation and development of the 53-ha area identified by the DENR for this Adopt-an-NGP Site scheme for a period of three (3) years in accordance with the approved WFP; undertake the continuous maintenance and protection of the same for the period covered under the existing CBFMA to ensure its sustainability and management; provide the required seedlings for the implementation of the Project;  properly indicate in CRMF and 5-yearWork Plan the area rehabilitated and developed within their CBFMA area with the assistance of the concerned Community Environment and Natural Resources Office and Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office; submit to the THPAL a SWA in accordance with the approved WFP; Submit to the THPAL, copy furnished to the First Party the required billing documents; ensure that the net income derived from the Project will be distributed/shared equally among the members who actively participated in the accomplishment of the Project, and submit a resolution on the benefit sharing scheme of all the members as proof, thereof; maintain an account to which the funds shall be deposited by the THPAL for purpose of record; provide such other support as may be available to ensure the success of the undertaking; and anti-bribery.

OIC, ARD for Technical Services Maritess M. Ocampo, MEPEO Section Manager Alex C. Canonoy of THPAL Nickel Corporation, and Mrs. Magnita Labrador, MAMATFA representative, witnessed the MOA signing.

In his message during the program, RED Tamayo expressed his gratitude to the THPAL management for adopting the area, as the scheme not only means rehabilitation of the damaged NGP site but also provides livelihood to the PO.  He also encouraged the PO to ensure the project's proper implementation based on the WFP for their benefit and that of the community. He also thanked the DENR team led by PENR Officer Agapito T. Patubo and CENRO Ruel E. Efren of Tubod for facilitating the activity.

After the MOA signing, the parties involved exemplified their commitment to environmental rehabilitation by affixing their signatures to the commitment wall and ceremonial tree planting within the identified CBFMA area, where a total of 75 participants actively joined the activity. The participants were personnel of the DENR-Regional Office, PENRO-Surigao del Norte, CENRO-Tubod, representatives from THPAL Nickel Corporation, LGU-Surigao City, and PO-MAMATFA.

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Parent Category: News & Events

Category: Press Releases

Published: 03 October 2023

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Parent Category: News & Events

Category: Press Releases

Published: 30 September 2023