20 MAY 2021, Thursday Headline STRATEGIC May 20, 2021 COMMUNICATION & Editorial Date INITIATIVES Column SERVICE Opinion Page Feature Article DENR nabs two wildlife traffickers in Bulacan, rescues endangered cockatoos By DENRPublished on May 19, 2021 QUEZON CITY, MAy 19 -- In a spate of wildlife enforcement operations in the past weeks, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has successfully arrested two individuals who were selling umbrella cockatoos online. DENR Secretary Roy A. Cimatu said the arrest of the suspects is part of the department's renewed commitment to "conserve specific terrestrial and marine areas representative of the Philippine natural and cultural heritage for present and future generations" amid the pandemic. "We will continue to apprehend these illegal wildlife traders whether we have a pandemic or not. This is what the DENR can always assure the public," Cimatu said. He noted that illegal wildlife traders have become more brazen since the pandemic began, but assured that the DENR remains vigilant to protect the biodiversity. DENR’s Environmental Protection and Enforcement Task Force (EPETF) arrested Rendel Santos, 21, and Alvin Santos, 48, for illegal possession and selling of two (2) Umbrella cockatoos (Cacatua alba) at Barangay Pagala in Baliuag, Bulacan last May 2. The DENR-Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) in Baliuag, Bulacan said the suspects were not issued a permit to transport the cockatoos. The Umbrella cockatoo is listed under Appendix II of the Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), which means that the species is not necessarily now threatened with extinction but that may become so unless trade is closely controlled. It also includes so-called "look-alike species", i.e. species whose specimens in trade look like those of species listed for conservation reasons. Criminal charges will be filed against the suspects for violating Republic Act (RA) 9147 or the Wildlife Resources Protection and Conservation Act of 2001. Section 23 of RA 9147 states that collection of threatened wildlife including the by-products and derivatives shall be allowed only for scientific, or breeding or propagation purposes, and provided that only the accredited individuals, business, research, educational or scientific entities shall be allowed to collect for conservation breeding or propagation purposes. Last April 28, the EPETF also arrested an individual in Sta. Mesa, Manila for illegally selling umbrella cockatoos and palm cockatoos online. (DENR) Source: https://pia.gov.ph/press-releases/releases/1075662 Headline STRATEGIC May 20, 2021 COMMUNICATION & Editorial Date INITIATIVES Column SERVICE 1 of 2 Opinion Page Feature Article Headline STRATEGIC May 20, 2021 COMMUNICATION & Editorial Date INITIATIVES Column SERVICE 2 of 2 Opinion Page Feature Article Source: https://tonite.abante.com.ph/birdie-iligal-na-binenta-2-nalambat/ Headline STRATEGIC May 20, 2021 COMMUNICATION & Editorial Date INITIATIVES Column SERVICE 1 of 2 Opinion Page Feature Article DENR partners with churches, NGOs for environmental protection campaign MAY 19, 2021, 9:50 AM Santiago Celario Writer Non-government groups joined the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in pledging a commitment to be involved in the initiatives of the DENR in the protection, conservation and proper management of the country’s environment and natural resources. THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has signed partnership agreements with the Boy Scouts of the Philippines (BSP), Dampay Christian Church, and ENR Vloggers to promote government programs aligned with environmental protection. The DENR, through the Strategic Communication and Initiatives Service (SCIS)-Strategic Alliance and Environmental Partnership Division, held the ENR Partners’ Commitment Signing and Oath Taking led by Undersecretary Benny Antiporda via Zoom on May 17. Antiporda, who is also the Supervising Undersecretary for SCIS and Task Force Tayo ang Kalikasan, said the gathering is "a manifestation of your willingness to be staunch partners of DENR in cleaning up Manila Bay and rehabilitating the environment of our country." "Through you, we hope to inspire and popularize the society-wide behavioral changes we need to rehabilitate and re-invigorate our environment," he added. “The DENR alone cannot solve the problems of our environment.We need cooperation in this matter.Bayanihan is needed by all sectors of society.Coordination and cooperation are no longer only optional but indispensable,” Antiporda added. Headline STRATEGIC May 20, 2021 COMMUNICATION & Editorial Date INITIATIVES Column SERVICE 2 of 2 Opinion Page Feature Article DENR partners with churches, NGOs for environmental protection campaign "Together, let us all deliver in our commitment to continue caring for Mother Earth to make her sustainably and productively healthy," Antiporda said, as he also acknowledged the initiative of DENR’s new partners. Among those present at the signing include BSP secretary-general Engr. Rogelio S. Villa Jr., Dampay Christian Church Pastor Bronson Romero, and ENR Vlogger president Junriel Llander. Also present were BSP executives from five pilot councils: Dr. Aldrin Corpin, BSP Las Piñas City Associate Council; Jermie Jose Trasga, BSP Manila Council; Cedric Dantes, BSP Valenzuela City Council; Roberto Anir, BSP Makati City Council; and Chester Hilario, BSP Bulacan Council, and 21 ENR vloggers. In the Pledge of Commitment, the three groups “committed to be involved in the initiatives of the DENR in the protection, conservation and proper management of the country’s environment and natural resources," and to "fully support environmental management as one of the immediate actions to help sustain Mother Earth." They also pledged “to implement environmental actions under the ENR Partner's Commitment; to render assistance in advocating and influencing our household and the community in implementing proper waste management, planting trees, participating in clean up drives, promoting use of public transportation, refusing the use of single use plastics and other environment friendly activities.” (SC) Tags: #DepartmentOfEnvironmentandNaturalResources, #partnerships, #BoyScoutsofthePhilippines, #DampayChristianChurch, #ENRVloggers Source: https://opinyon.net/national/denr-partners-with-churches-ngos-for-environmental- protection-campaign Headline STRATEGIC May 20, 2021 COMMUNICATION & Editorial Date INITIATIVES Column SERVICE 1 of 3 Opinion Page Feature Article DENR, PCG, NAVOTAS INK MOA ON ENVIRONMENTAL COOPERATION May 20, 2021 @ 12:15 AM 5 hours ago THE Navotas City government has sealed an agreement with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) for a partnership to improve the water quality in Manila Bay. Mayor Toby Tiangco; DENR-National Capital Region Executive Director, Jacqueline Caancan; and DENR–Environmental Management Bureau-NCR Bureau Director and concurrent Regional Director, Engr. William Cuñado signed the agreement. Also among the signatories were PCG-Coast Guard District, NCR-Central Luzon Commander, Commodore Charlie Rances and PCG-Maritime Safety Services Commander, Vice Admiral Eduardo Fabricante. “We welcome this partnership with the DENR and the Coast Guard. Working together is always better than working alone. We are grateful that even with the pandemic, the program to clean and rehabilitate Manila Bay remains a priority,” Mayor Tiangco said. “We hope that through this initiative, we will soon realize our common goal of restoring the waters surrounding the city to a classification fit for fishing, swimming and other recreational water activities.” Under the MOA, the DENR-EMB-NCR will install a Water Quality Monitoring Equipment (WQME) with buoy near the coastline of Baranga. Tanza 1 to monitor the water quality of the bay. The agency will also shoulder the cost of the monitoring equipment and installation, as well as the operating expenses of the station. They will also hold orientation regarding the use and operation of the WQME and provide the trained personnel access to the station for real-time monitoring. Headline STRATEGIC May 20, 2021 COMMUNICATION & Editorial Date INITIATIVES Column SERVICE 2 of 3 Opinion Page Feature Article DENR, PCG, NAVOTAS INK MOA ON ENVIRONMENTAL COOPERATION Navotas, on one hand, will allow the installation of the water quality monitoring station and its accessories along the coastline of the barangay, as well as the continuous operation and maintenance of the site by the DENR-EMB-NCR personnel. The city government will also provide assistance to ensure the security of the monitoring station. Meanwhile, the PCG-MSSC will allow the entry of authorized representatives that will check and inspect the WQME. They will also provide personnel to assist in the maintenance of the station, monitor the WQME buoy and immediately report if there is a change in location, prevent the unnecessary loss of the equipment in case of calamities, and provide other support and assistance when necessary. They are also tasked to provide the work and financial plan for the logistical requirement stated in the agreement. The PCG-CGDNCR-CL will provide manpower to assist in the real-time operation of the WQME, safeguard the buoy from unnecessary loss or damage caused by man or natural events, provide watercraft to rescue the buoy in case of any disaster, and assist in any way necessary to keep the monitoring station in good working