DENR Allocates Additional Funds for Forest Protection in Bicol Region

Photo caption: Forty six newly hired forest protection officers from Camarines Sur participated in the forest protection training on 14-16 November 2017 in Naga City.

DENR allocated an additional Php9.24 million for PENROs Camarines Sur, Albay and Masbate to intensify Forest Protection activities boosting the protection of about 51,500 hectares of forestlands in the Bicol Region. Of this amount, Php4.96 million was allocated for PENRO Camarines Sur for the hiring and training of 139 Forest Protection Officers (FPOs) from municipalities belonging to the 1 st and 2 nd districts of Camarines Sur.

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Community Stakeholders Support Stronger Forest Protection in Palawan

Photo caption: Representatives of member POs of Palawan Federation of CBFM/CADC Holders Association participate in a forest patrolling simulation during the Lawin training organized by CENRO Taytay in partnership with USAID’s B+WISER Program.

About 40 people’s organizations (POs) that are members of the province-wide Palawan Federation of CBFM/CADC Holders Association have expressed support for stronger forest protection in a resolution issued by the federation on October 2017. In the same resolution, the federation also signified their interest to learn the Lawin system and to participate in efforts to help DENR conserve Palawan’s remaining natural forests. In response to this, a two-day training on the Lawin Forest and Biodiversity Protection System was co-organized by USAID’s B+WISER Program and CENRO Taytay on 23-24 November 2017.

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USAID and DENR train forest patrollers in CAR in the Lawin response protocols

DENR-CAR Assistant Regional Director Augusto Lagon emphasized the importance of equipping forest patrollers with knowledge in responding to observed threats in his opening remarks during the Lawin response protocols training.

More than 160 forest patrollers in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) were jointly trained by USAID’s B+WISER Program and DENR in protocols for responding to observed threats under the Lawin Forest and Biodiversity Protection System to strengthen the protection of the Cordillera Region’s remaining natural forests. Two batches of trainings participated by all forest patrollers in CAR were conducted between November 14-18.

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Intensified Lawin patrolling in Northern Sierra Madre results in apprehension of illegally cut trees

Photo Caption: DENR CENRO Aparri forest rangers conducted intensified Lawin patrols with the local police from October 31 to November 8.

DENR forest rangers of Community Environment and Natural Resource Office (CENRO) Aparri in the province of Cagayan apprehended 800 board feet of antipolo (Artocarpus blancoi) lumber flitches and two power chainsaws during a Lawin patrol in a natural forest in the municipality of Lal-lo. The lumber of antipolo tree is commonly used as a material for the construction of boats.

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USAID's support to Mt. Kitanglad indigenous peoples recognized in Bukidnon

         On Nov 9, during the culmination on the three-day 21st ‘Aldaw ta Kitanglad’ celebration in Bukidnon, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region 10, recognized the technical assistance provided by USAID's Biodiversity and Watersheds Improved for Stronger Economy and Ecosystem Resilience (B+WISER) Program to the indigenous peoples (IPs) living in Mt Kitanglad, a protected area declared as an ASEAN Heritage Park in 2009.

Read more: USAID's support to Mt. Kitanglad indigenous peoples recognized in Bukidnon