Press Releases

WHALE SHARK SIGHTINGS IN KATIPUNAN, ZDN

Five (5) Whale Sharks were spotted and reported to DENR IX official Facebook page DENR Zamboanga Peninsula by its FB follower CH AI RA in Katipunan, Zamboanga del Norte.
 
The sightings were documented in video made by CH AI RA and shared to DENR IX official FB account.
 
The marine animals were sighted at around 7:00 in the morning of February 18, 2023 at the shorelines of Barangays Uno and San Antonio in the Municipality of Katipunan, Zamboanga del Norte and was immediately reported to the Community of Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) of Manukan.
 
CENRO Manukan personnel Forester Ferolito T. Cata-al, who immediately proceeded to the site, was able to provide information to the gatherings of local residents watching and documenting the presence of “Butanding” along their coastal zone.
 
According to Forester Cataal, the five marine species were identified as Whale Shark (Rhincodon typus) or locally known as “Butanding”. These marine species are not dangerous to humans unlike other shark species. It was also observed that the said marine species were in good condition. Local residents where immediately advised to keep distance from the said wildlife to avoid the latter from getting stressed.
 
The presence of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Katipunan Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO), Local Bureau of Fishery and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and Local Government Unit of the Municipality of Katipunan, Zamboanga del Norte helped a lot in controlling the situation in the area.
 
Eventually, the said marine species went back to its natural habitat by mid-afternoon.
 
It is known that Whale Sharks regulate the ocean’s plankton levels and prevent these microscopic organisms’ numbers from growing without restriction – something that could have a negative effect on ocean environment (Galảpagos Conservancy). Thus, its presence is a good indicator of a rich and healthy marine ecosystem.
 
DENR Administrative Order No. 2019-09 otherwise known as Updated National List of Threatened Philippine Fauna and their categories does not include whale sharks in their list, it is still classified as “ENDANGERED” species by the International Union of Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and accordingly its species recovery is only 29% or largely depleted due to decreasing rate in population and being threatened across its range.
 
These marine species are protected under Republic Act 9147 or the “Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act”, which prohibits anybody from collecting, hunting, injuring and killing/destroying of wildlife species, including handling/possessing of wildlife without permits/licenses.
 
 
Video source: @CH AI RA
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CENRO MANUKAN PERSONNEL APPREHENDS ILLEGAL LUMBER FLITCHES

A Quick Response Team(QRT) from the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) of Manukan apprehends illegal lumber flitches being transported at Barangay Palaranan, Manukan in the late evening of February 18, 2023.

The QRT personnel headed by OIC Deputy CENRO Eugene S. Celi, upon the instruction and clearance of CENRO George E. Laolao, intercepted One (1) Suzuki Multicab loaded with fourteen (14) pieces of Molave flitches.

The successful apprehension of the illegal forest products came after CENRO Manukan received an information around 5’oclock in the afternoon February 18, 2023 from the Regional Office thru a concerned citizen regarding the illegal cutting/harvesting of Molave Trees at said barangay.

The CENRO Quick Response Team was dispatched to conduct surveillance in the area and make necessary preparation in the conduct of apprehension. Around 11:30 in the evening of the same date, the team were able to intercept a Suzuki Multicab loaded with Molave flitches covered with plastic transporting without the proper legal documents along the road of Palaranan. The Team was able to apprehend fourteen (14) pieces flitches of Molave species (Vitex parviflora) with an equivalent volume of one-hundred sixty-eight (168) board feet or 0.396 cubic meters. The said forest products including one (1) transport vehicle were immediately brought to Manukan Municipal Police Station for initial verification and temporary safe keeping. Follow-up investigation to ascertain the responsible person/owner of the apprehended undocumented forest products and conveyance are still on-going.

DENR-CENRO Manukan reminded the public that cutting, gathering and/or collecting timber, or other forest products without license/permit is illegal and punishable by Law pursuant to Section 77 of Presidential Decree (PD) 705 as amended, otherwise known as the Revised Forestry Code of the Philippines.

Photos Courtesy of CENRO Manukan

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PENRO ZDN CONDUCTS MANGROVE PLANTING

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) through its Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO)- Zamboanga del Norte headed by the Chief Administrative Officer Sarah Zayas, conducts Mangrove Propagule Planting on February 17, 2023 along the mangrove areas of San Pedro, Dapitan City.

At 6 in the morning, a total of 38 selected PENRO personnel, together with the Barangay Officials of San Pedro, simultaneously planted around 300 propagules (Rhizophora mucronata) which shall eventually serve as a natural defense against coastal erosion and flooding caused by extreme weather events.

This activity highlights the importance of protecting our wetland areas through restoration and replanting efforts in protecting and preserving nearby coastlines.

Through collaborative efforts, everyone can make a better change and healthier environment for the present and future generations.

 

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PENRO ZDN CONDUCTS MANGROVE PLANTING 2

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CENRO Manukan Joins Tree Growing Activity of PAFC

The Community Environment and Natural Resources Office based in Manukan, Zamboanga del Norte joined the tree growing activity spearheaded by the Provincial Agriculture and Fishery Council (PAFC) at the coastal area of Barangay San Antonio, Manukan of Zamboanga del Norte on February 16.

The Municipal Agriculture, Fishery Council members from different municipalities of Zamboanga del Norte and other stakeholders joined the efforts of PAFC in promoting coastal conservation and sustainability through a tree growing activity along the coastal area of Zamboanga del Norte.

A total of fifty-four (54) council members-planters participated in the said activity and planted 250 seedlings of Bitaog, Balok-balok and Narra species.

Beach Forest plays an important role in coastal ecosystem as it prevents coastal erosion, protects the local residents from the effects of strong winds and storms otherwise known as Greenbelts. In addition, restoration of beach areas improves wildlife habitat connectivity and supports biodiversity conservation.

 

CENRO Manukan Joins Tree Growing Activity of PAFC 1

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94 Olive Ridley Turtle Hatchlings Released

LILOY, ZDN – 94 Olive Ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea) marine turtle hatchlings were released back into the sea by the personnel of Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) based in Liloy on February 10 at Barangay Patawag in this municipality.

The information of the hatchlings has reached the office after a certain Josie Retubali, a Bantay-Dagat in the said barangay have relayed it to DMO IV Heracleo M. Calasang Jr. who then instructed the team to conduct an ocular inspection on the site.

During actual field verification and inspection, Mr. Richard Sordilla, a resident of the said barangay and also a Bantay-Dagat, disclosed that the hatchlings were observed in the evening of February 8.

The release was witnessed by SvECOMS/Deputy CENRO Antonio Z. Yanos, DMO IV Heracleo M. Calasang Jr., FT I Merlou A. Rebuyas and FR Hardie E. Hamoy.

Olive Ridley is considered to be one of the three marine turtle species that are common nesters in the coastal areas within the jurisdiction of CENRO Liloy and is listed “vulnerable” according to International Union of the Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

 

 94 Olive Ridley Turtle Hatchlings Released1

94 Olive Ridley Turtle Hatchlings Released2

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