DENR ERDBNewsletter Vol. 2 No. 2 April -June 2008 Independence Day rites Shown in photo from ndependence Day Rites were held at the Sta. Cruz, left: Board Member Town Hall on June 12, 2008 with no less than the DENR Andrew Nocon, Sta. Secretary Jose L. Atienza, Jr. leading the flag raising. Cruz, Laguna Mayor Ariel T. Magcalas, I Laguna Governor The flag raising event was held simultaneously all over the Teresita S. Lazaro, the DENR Secretary and country with Sta. Cruz, Laguna as the focus of the activity Mrs. Jose L. Atienza, Jr. for the province. Historically, Sta. Cruz was the base of some significant Filipino revolutionary generals like General Juan Cailles and Paciano Rizal.

The Sta. Cruz, Laguna Independence Day Rites consisted of three parts: (1) the flag raising; (2) the wreath laying for the heroes during the revolution of 1898; and (3) a program participated in by Laguna LGU, regional and national government officials led by DENR Secretary Atienza, Laguna Gov. Teresita S. Lazaro, Sta. Cruz Mayor Ariel T. Magcalas, Board Member Andrew Nocon, Reg. 4A RED Eduardo B. Principe. The last part was the signing of the covenant for Mother Earth by the DENR and Laguna LGU officials.

The ERDB Choir singing Pambansang Awit ng Pilipinas during the Laguna was one of the eight provinces to rise in revolt against Independence Day Celebration on June 12, 2008 in Sta. Cruz, Laguna. Ü Next page

UPCFNR Plaque for ERDB Assistant Director

HE UPCFNR (University of the appreciation to ERDB Assistant Director Leuvina M. College of Forestry and Tandug on April 24, 2008 at the 90th UPLBCFNR TNatural Resources) awarded a plaque of Alumni Homecoming in College, Laguna. Director’s Engagements The plaque signifies Dr. Tandug’s distinctive career April 2008 achievement as the Asst. Director of the Ecosystems 12 - National Committee on Biosafety (NCBP) Meeting, DOST, Research and Development Bureau (ERDB) which Bicutan, Taguig, Metro Manila brings honor and prestige to her Alma Mater and the 15 - Community Based Forest Management (CBFM) Meeting, DENR,Quezon City UPLBCFNR Alumni Association. 16 - Mt. Banahaw MOA Signing, Dolores, Quezon 22 - Earth Day Celebration - SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City Dr. Tandug finished her Bachelor of Science in 24-25- 98th UPCFNR Alumni Homecoming, UPCFNR College, Agriculture major in Statistics at the UPLB in 1972. Laguna She finished her Master of Science in Statistics at the 28 - Special PCARRD Governing Council Meeting, PCARRD, Los Baños, Laguna UPLB in 1977. After that, she completed her PhD in May 2008 Forest Resource Management (FRM) major in Forest 2 - Environment Month Meeting, DENR,Quezon City Biometry also in UPLB in 1987. Marla V. Cambay, TDD

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INSIDE: n 2 AD Leuvy presents research paper in Korea n 2 ERDB researchers attend Asia-Pacific Forestry Week Celebration n 3 ERDB and PG of Quezon to Propel ecotourism n 3 3rd ERDB - MIA Badminton Tournament n 4 TDD wins GAD contest on novelty creations n 4 ERDB greets Dir. Amaro on his 48th b-day n 5 Special Order No. 52 names GAD Focal Point Persons n 5 ERDB conducts Training-Workshop on Harmonized Gender and Development (GAD) Guidelines at NAMRIA n 6 Nationwide flag raising held simultaneously n 6 UFERD Chief receives plaque n 6 Consultative Meeting with FASPO 2 Vol. 2 No. 2

Independence day rites.. from page 1 of Laguna under the American flag. the Spanish misrule led by Generals Paciano Rizal of Calamba, The ERDB Choir (Zhiela Alcantara, Salvacion Alcasid, Severino Taiño of Pagsanjan, Agueda Kahabagan (woman Catalina Aldemita, Aerold Alegre, Rebecca Arcilla, Marilou general) of Calauan, and of Batangas. The Arcillas, Liberato Bacod, Cyrus Calinawan, Felipe Chicano, ill-equipped Filipino forces fought the well-armed enemy until Shiela Dequina, Henry Eugenio, Digno Garcia, Glen John August 31, 1898, when the last Spanish garrison surrendered Gutierrez, Nolita Gasapos, Nestor Leviste, Romana Mauricio, to the victorious patriots in Santa Cruz. The province was Cesario Moslares, Fe Ociones, Concepcion Palaypayon, Hector cleared of Spaniards. Payuan, Wellington Rosacia, Lourdes Tangkeko and Lolita Villanueva) sang the Pambansang Awit ng Pilipinas during Upon the outbreak of the Filipino-American War (1899- the flag raising. They also sang Pilipinas kong Mahal – during 1901), General Juan Cailles and General Paciano Rizal led the closing program and the signing of the covenant for the defense of Laguna until June 30, 1901, when surrender Mother Earth by the Laguna LGU officials, DENR and other became inevitable. Cailles became the first Filipino Governor agencies. Bong Baltazar and M.V. Cambay, TDD AD Leuvy presents research paper in Korea sst. Director Leuvina M. Tandug attended the posters exhibited were in Korean language. Only four (4) National Annual Convention of the Korean Society papers were presented in English. These were: Effects of Soil Science and Fertilizers in Jeongseon-Gun, of compost application on carbon storage in long-term KangwonA Province on May 21-30, 2008. She presented her fertilized paddy soils; Risk assessment of heavy metals in the research work on the Biomass and carbon sequestration of vicinity of an abandoned mine; Immobilization of heavy Gmelina arborea in the Philippines. metals; and Effect of iron slags on arsenic immobilization as soil amendment. More than 50 research papers and 30 posters about soils and fertilizers were presented and exhibited during the The last paper was presented by Ms. Jessie Gutierrez, a convention. Majority of the papers and posters were related Filipina from the LGU of Malaybalay, Bukidnon taking up to climate change. her masteral degree at Gyeonyam National University in Korea. Marla V. Cambay, TDD Ninety-five percent (95%) of the papers presented and ERDB researchers attend Asia-Pacific Forestry Week rolific researcher, Dr. Aida B. Lapis, Supervising Science Research Specialist and Chief of the Land Rehabilitation Section of ERDB and current PDeputy Project Director and Research Component Leader, ITTO-Philippines-ASEAN Rattan Project, attended the recently concluded “Asia- Pacific Forestry Week (APFW)” held at the National Convention Center in Hanoi, Vietnam on 21-26 April 2008.

The main organizer of this international forestry event is the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations with its theme “Forestry in a Changing World”. This event was co-organized by the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) Dr. Aida B. Lapis together with participants of the Asia - Pacific Forestry Week held in Hanoi, Vietnam on 21-26 April 2008. and the Asia-Pacific Association of Forestry Research Institutions (APAFRI) in order for the Special Session on event to deal exclusively with forests in the Asia-Pacific “Forestry Research and Education in a Changing World” this year. It was anchored around the Asia-Pacific Forestry be discussed/tackled at the APFW. The special session was Commission which brought together forestry leaders from organized to sensitize the stakeholders about the present 33 member countries. The Commission’s aim was to assess status of the forestry research and education in the Asia- forestry issues and chart directions for forest policy in Pacific region and also the need to reorient and upgrade it the years to come. The first event was participated in by to meet the emerging challenges in the forestry sector. NGOs, government officials and/or representatives, academe and the private sector. For the Philippines, There were about 700 participants who came from more there were 44 participants from various government than 50 countries. This APFW was the largest, single Ü page 4

ERDB News Vol. 2 No. 2 3

ERDB and PG of Quezon to propel ecotourism o ensure the successful implementation of the ongoing implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the project. project entitled “Comprehensive Diagnostic Assessment It will also assist the ERDB technical staff in surveying to Enhance Ecotourism in Barangay Kinabuhayan and delineating the areas/sites identified for ecotourism Tand Taytay, Mt. Banahaw San Cristobal Protected Landscape development plan, particularly the hardscape and landscape, (MBSCPL), and to encourage its stakeholders to support into appropriate architectural and engineering designs and and strengthen the sustainable management of MBSCPL, a perspective, including an estimate of costs, bill of materials, Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the DENR- and other related financial requirements. Finally, it will assist ERDB and the Provincial Government Environment and ERDB during the consultation meeting and related IEC, Natural Resources Office (PG-ENRO) of Quezon was signed public disclosure activities where the designs and proposed on 16 April 2006. The DENR-ERDB was represented by its ecotourism development plan will be presented for approval. Director, For. Marcial C. Amaro , Jr., while the PG-ENRO was represented by Mr. Manuel A. Beloso. The event took place at The MOA signing was witnessed by Mayor Renato Alilio of the Bangkong Kahoy Valley Ecotourism Site in Kinabuhayan, Dolores, Quezon and Emmanuel A. Calayag, the Municipal Dolores, Quezon. Environment and Natural Resources Officer of Dolores; Dr. Lope Calanog, project leader of the above-mentioned project; As per salient provisions of the MOA, the DENR-ERDB will and For. Gregorio D. Reyes, Chief of ERDB-UFERD. Also supervise the overall implementation of the project; identify present during the signing were some staff from DENR- existing and potential ecotourism activities and destination ERDB, PG-ENRO, Protected Area Superintendent (PASU) sites within Barangay Kinabuhayan; design appropriate Office of Mt. Banahaw- San Cristobal Protected Landscape, hardscape and landscape and nature-based recreational Quezon, and the Municipality of Dolores and Sta. Lucia, facilities, taking into consideration the general makeup and Dolores, Quezon and the owner of Bangkong Kahoy Valley cultural attributes of the area; and survey potential areas for Ecotourism Site, Mr. Dion Pullan. the establishment of ecological trails and other ecotourism facilities such as camping, nature walk, religious retreat, view After the signing, a tour at the Bangkong Kahoy Valley deck, and others. Ecotourism Site took place. Likewise, a visit of the camping area and other interesting sites in Barangay Kinabuhayan was The PG-ENRO, on the other hand, will provide the done. Sally T. Orobia, UFERD necessary financial and logistical requirements needed in the

3rd ERDB - MIA Badminton Tournament held

t was a day of fun and excitement for the ERDB Badminton Club (EBC) and the Club MIA (Manila International Airport) Badminton Club members in its 3rd Tournament last April 26, 2008 at the Argon Resort I“Smash Box´ Badminton Court, Rhodas Subdivision, Los Baños, Laguna. For. Reyes of ERDB awards the trophy to Lt. Silapan, Club MIA Vice Chair during the 3rd Badminton Tournament on April 26, 2008 at the “Smash Box”, This year’s host is the Club MIA through its Chair, Engr. Freddie Cano. The MIA Rhodas Subd., Los Baños, Laguna. Team in the Tournament was headed by Lt. Roger Silapan, Club MIA Vice Chair. For. Gregorio Reyes, Chief, Upland Farms Ecosystem Research Division and EBC Auditor, led the opening prayer for the tournament. Players for ERDB were Greg Reyes, Frank Cabrera (EBC Vice Chair), Levi Lantican (Tournament Director), Henry Eugenio, Russel Olan, Reynaldo Parco, Danilo Cabuscabus, Elpidio Rimando, Nestor Leviste, Alvin Olvida, Eustaquio Natividad, Dale Ramos, Jonathan Zerrudo, and Doming Suiza. Among the female ERDB players were Lydia Balatero, Nory Bayani, Ella Cariño, Lotlot Cabuscabus, Fe Ociones, Lita Reyes and Jo Garcia, and with guest players, Jessica Torno from PAWB and Jane Corcuera of LGU Los Baños.

Games were held the whole day. Breakfast was served with a hot bowl of “goto”. Some of the Club MIA members brought along their families to enjoy swimming.

A sumptuous lunch was shared by the two teams. In the afternoon, games continued and true enough, it was a close fight between the two teams especially in the men’s game.

But in the end, Club MIA once again victoriously brought home the championship trophy. CONGRATULATIONS TO CLUB MIA! Lita G. Reyes, TDD ERDB News 4 Vol. 2 No. 2

TDD wins GAD contest on novelty creations

newspapers and pillow case from coffee foil wrappers. The Fi- nance and Administrative Services Division (FASD) presented a flower vase from old magazines and lampshade from wine bottle. Finallly, the Upland Farms Ecosystem Research Division (UFERD) prepared a lampshade from used staple wires.

The first prize (chandelier from compact disks) was awarded to the Technology Development Division (TDD) which garnered an average score of 78.67% with a cash prize of P5,000. This was followed by the Forest Ecosystems Research Division (FERD) (back and foot massager from used shuttlecocks) with an average score of 75.53% and a cash prize of P3,000. The third prize was the flower vase from old magazines from the The TDD staff, together with Assistant Director Leuvy Tandug, Ms. FASD with an average score of 71.44% and a cash prize of Monette Santos , GAD focal person, pose before the TDD’s winning entry, (chandelier from compact disks). P2,000.

he Technology Development Division (TDD) won the The panel of judges were composed of ERDB OIC Asst. contest on Novelty Creations from Solid Waste Materi- Director Leuvina Tandug, Ms. Juliet Texon, Head of DENR als sponsored by the Gender and Development (GAD) GAD Secretariat, and Ms. Theresa Calo, trainor/consultant of WomenT Inc. on June 23, 2008 at the ERDB Auditorium. the Eco Solid Waste Management Earth Renewal Project. The other entries were from the Forest Ecosystem Research Ms. Zhiela Alcantara’s group also presented a special number Division (FERD) which presented the back/foot massager and Ms. Monette Mauricio served as emcee during the pro- from used shuttlecocks. The Coastal Zone and Freshwater gram. Marla V. Cambay, TDD Ecosystems Research Division (CZFERD) presented a pillow stuffed with charcoal. The Los Baños Experiment Station ERDB researchers attend... from page 2 (LBES) made a file case made from used diskettes while the Laboratory staff made a wall décor/massage mat from old agencies, academe, NGOs, LGUs and the private sector.

The topics/issues discussed in various sessions were ERDB greets Dir. Amaro on his climate change, invasive species, forest-dependent people, protected areas, forestry governance or forest education 48th birthday and research, among others.

Session materials such as program guide, flyers, Hanoi guide and APFW Newsbits were provided to the participants.

The other ERDB researcher who also attended this event was Mr. Horacio San Valentin of the Forest Ecosystems Research Division (FERD). Dolora B. Bandian, GDAERD

Director Amaro welcomed everyone with his fatherly, midst the fast and dizzying life of a ranking brotherly and friendly gestures and responded with DENR official, Director Mars Amaro celebrated meaningful messages of thankfulness and appreciation for his 48th birhtday at the Ecosystems Research and everybody. ADevelopment Bureau. Director Amaro thanked Employees from all units, offices and divisions came into his the ERDB employees room to greet the Director and give their warm greetings, for adding meaning and offer handshakes, give their hugs and kisses, and express their value to his birthday. wishes for him. Others came to sing birthday songs, and Bong Baltazar, TDD cheered the youthful Director on his special day.

ERDB News Vol. 2 No. 2 5

Special Order no. 52 names GAD Focal Point Persons

ursuant to the provisions of the Convention on The Order will pursue the vision of a 50-50 men-women the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination ratio of personnel occupying plantilla positions in the Against Women CEDAW), Republic Act (R.A.) No. DENR. The GAD representatives will also see to it 7192P otherwise known as the Women in Development and that women are not discriminated in the promotion and Nation Building Act, the DENR issued Administrative selection of employees in the DENR System. Order No. 11 dated June 12, 2008 for the DENR Central Office, Regional Offices, bureaus, field offices and attached In response to the said DENR A.O., Director Marcial C. agencies. Amaro, Jr. issued ERDB Special Order No. 52 dated July 17, 2008 authorizing ERDB GAD representatives to sit as The Department Order states that GAD members should members of the different committees of the Bureau, to wit: be represented in the different office committees of the DENR. It is designed to ensure: (a) that women are Name Committee accorded equal rights with men in terms of opportunities 1. Monette S. Santos Promotion and Selection and privileges to manage, administer and implement Board (PSB) research and developmental programs and spearhead 2. Lope A. Calanog Policy Technical Working environmental projects; (b) in appointment to key Group (PTWG) positions, the qualifications of deserving women and 3. Carmelita I. Villamor Performance Evaluation men be evaluated according to merits and positions Review Group (PERG) in accordance with the Civil Service law, rules and 4. Romana A. Mauricio Programs on Rewards and regulations; and (c) women be regarded as mutual partners Incentives Service (PRAISE) of men in policy and decision making in the management 5. Vienna Austria Grievance Committee of the environment and natural resources and be given opportunity to handle major programs. Copies of the ERDB Special Order were distributed to all divisions and units. Monette S. Santos, UFERD

ERDB conducts Training-Workshop on Harmonized Gender and Development (GAD) Guidelines at NAMRIA

s. Monette S. Santos, the Bureau’s GAD Focal Point It will guide the integration of GAD perspective in the was invited to conduct aTraining-Workshop on development planning process and various stages of the harmonized GAD Guidelines on June 25-29, 2008 at project cycle. It also addresses the issues of inadequate sex- Mthe NAMRIA Lecture Hall, Taguig City. disaggregated data and statistics. The training-workshop served as a refresher course on The goals of the guidelines are: (a) to provide NEDA, ODA basic key concepts and principles and tools on gender donors, Philippine government agencies and development and development and a familiarization of the Philippine practitioners with a common set of analytical concepts and Harmonized GAD Guidelines in three modules. This also tools to integrate gender concerns into development programs served as venue for interaction on how these guidelines will be and projects; and (b) help achieve gender equality and applied to the NAMRIA programs and projects. empower women through projects and programs.

The training was participated in by 20 NAMRIA personnel The guidelines’ three modules. are: at the supervisory level. As their output, the participants were Part I - set of checklist or guide expected to prepare action plans in pursuing GAD advocacy and questions on Project Development promotion, particularly on the Harmonized GAD Guidelines. and Design; Part II - guidelines on Project Development in The Harmonized GAD Guidelines was produced by the particular sectors and Part III Official Development Assistance-Gender and Development - GAD checklists on Project (ODA-GAD) Network together with NEDA and NCRFW in Implementation and Management 2004 to implement R.A. 7192. and Monitoring and Evaluation. Monette S. Santos, UFERD

ERDB News 6 Vol. 2 No. 2

Nationwide flag raising held UFERD Chief receives plaque simultaneously orester Gregorio D. Reyes, Chief of the Upland Farms Ecosystem Research Division (UFERD) was one of the n observance of the National Flag Day on May 2008, awardees as an “Outstanding Alumnus in Government the ERDB took part in the simultaneous flag raising Service”F in the Golden Jubilee Celebration of the Taal Iceremony throughout the country. Elementary School in Bocaue, Bulacan held on May 3, 2008. With the theme “Igalang and Ating Watawat, Sa Isip, Sa The search was opened to deserving alumni of TES from Salita at Sa Gawa”, the campaign aimed to promote public 1949-1990 by the Taal Elementary School Alumni Association awareness of good citizenship values such as love of (TESAA) officers. The aim was to recognize and honor country, respect for the flag and the elderly, patriotism and deserving alumni for their exemplary performance and individual nationalism. achievements and contributions to their respective industry, profession in community, making them a role model to their In the culminating program, Ms. Emma Paunlagui led fellow alumni and other students, thereby bringing honor to their the short prayer, the ERDB choir led the singing of the Alma Mater. Philippine National Anthem; afterwhich, the “Pilipinas Kong Mahal” was sung. The “Panunumpa sa Watawat Forester Reyes has served the government for 39 years: 12 ng Pilipinas” was led by Ms. Cristina Apolinar. A concise years in Mindoro Island, 6 years in Cagayan Valley and the rest history of the Philippine flag and the representation of the in Los Baños, Laguna. He said that it was a sacrifice to work colors of the flag were explained by Ms. Myrna Tomboc and in a government office. “One cannot choose the place of Ms. Marilou Arcillas. This was followed by a short message assignment” That is the reason why he had to live apart from his from ERDB Director Marcial C. Amaro, Jr. family for the first 18 years of his married life. He seldom saw his wife and kids during that period and even at the time he was The display of the Philippine flag started on May 28 and needed most. His meager salary hindered him from spending culminated on June 21, 2008. Marilou C. Arcillas, FASD for his transportation fare to be with his family. There were even threats to his life from influential people while performing his duties in protecting the environment and forest resources in his Consultative Meeting with area of jurisdiction. According to For. Reyes, half of his life has FASPO held been spent serving the government and there is no reason for him to stop pursuing what he has started until his retirement in he ERDB-FASPO consultative meeting was held on April 8, year 2010. Lita G. Reyes, TDD 2008 at the ERDB Conference Room to discuss the results 19 - National Flag Day Meeting, DENR, Quezon City of the Gap Analysis on RDE. 24 - NCBP Meeting T June 2008 The discussion identified sectoral thrusts and priorities where the 4 - World Bank’s Country Environmental Analysis for the Philippines ERDB should participate in, such as biodiversity, coastal and marine Meeting, FASPO, DENR ecosystems; forest ecosystem; air, water and climate change to 5 - Launching of the East Asian Seas Congress - Illustrado Restaurant, determine the gaps and identify proposed initiatives and reconnect Intramuros , Manila corresponding projects for funding by foreign donors and financial 12- 110th Independence Day Celebration, Sta. Cruz, Laguna institutions. 16-17 - World Bank’s Country Environmental Analysis for the Philippines’ Workshop, Discovery Suites, Ortigas Some of the projects proposed by ERDB involved protected area management, coastal zone rehabilitation, climate change, solid waste management, technology transfer, extension and training needs of DENR ERDBNewsletter Vol. 2 No. 2 April -June 2008 the Research Sector and Field Offices. Contributions from all employees are welcome as per guidelines set in ERDB Memo. dated Aug. 31, 2007. This The FASPO delegation was headed by Forester Conrado Bravante, Newsletter is produced quarterly in coordination with all Offices, Jr., Emma Diez, Madel Villalon and Erlinda Mamaradlo. Divisions and Units of the ERDB. Executive Advisers : Leuvina M. Tandug The FASPO officials also presented the types of assistance of Lope A. Calanog foreign donors and the major financial windows. Editorial Adviser : Eliseo M. Baltazar Eliseo M. Baltazar, TDD Managing Editor : Marla V. Cambay Assistant Editor : Carmelita G. Reyes Layout : Director’s Engagements. . . from page 1 Liberato A. Bacod Proofreading/ : Flora B. Palicpic 12 - National Program Support for Environment and Natural Circulation Eduardo M. Tolentino Resources Management Program, DENR, Quezon City Printing : Celso A. Luna

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