ASIAN WATER BIRD CENSUS

𝐃𝐄𝐍𝐑-𝟏𝟐 𝐝𝐨𝐜𝐮𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟕𝐤 𝐰𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐝𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐒𝐨𝐜𝐜𝐬𝐤𝐬𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐧 𝐰𝐞𝐭𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐊𝐎𝐑𝐎𝐍𝐀𝐃𝐀𝐋 𝐂𝐈𝐓𝐘, 𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐂𝐨𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐚𝐭𝐨 - The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region 12 has monitored more than 17 thousand waterbirds in various wetlands in Soccsksargen Region. Atty. Felix S. Alicer, regional executive director of the DENR-12, said the significant numbers of waterbirds were found in various wetlands across the Region 12 during the Asian Waterbird Census (AWC) that began on January 10. The waterbirds were monitored and sighted by DENR-12 personnel in several monitoring sites in the towns of M’lang, Kabacan, Alabel, Glan, Maitum, Kiamba, Lake Sebu, Sto. Niño, Lebak, Lutayan, and cities of Tacurong and General Santos, RED Alicer said in a statement on Wednesday (Jan. 24). Based on the reports of DENR-12 designated information officers, a total of 17,635 waterbirds were documented in Soccsksargen wetlands, 4,934 of which were sighted in Cotabato; 1,922 in Sarangani; 5,312 in South Cotabato and Gensan; and 5,467 in Sultan Kudarat.

eNGP Site Visit of CENR Officer FORESTER ABDULNAGIB T. RINGIA AND PENR OFFICER RADZAK SINARIMBO

The Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) of Cotabato together with the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) of Matalam conducted a joint site visit on January 30 to monitor the status of the Enhanced National Greening Program (eNGP) plantations in Brgy. Canaan, Antipas, Cotabato. PENR Officer of Cotabato Radzak B. Sinarimbo, and CENR Officer of Matalam For. Abdulnagib T. Ringia with the assistance of the forest extension officers, and NGP coordinators of PENRO Cotabato and CENRO Matalam, assessed the impacts of eNGP on the implementation of the project on established eNGP plantations CY 2021, 2018, 2017, and 2015 of Canaan Farmers’ Association. This initiative was done to strengthen efforts and to address issues on the ground to ensure the achievement of eNGP project targets and to encourage Peoples Organizations (POs) to sustain eNGP gains for their own and the benefit of the environment. PENR Officer Sinarimbo is thankful for the collaborative partnerships with the POs as the projects have ultimately transformed their ways of living. This suggests that sustainable development is felt in the department's program, which restores degraded forests and is successful in providing financial help to its beneficiaries while also serving as a green initiative that gives hope to those living in poverty. The existing National Greening Program is in line with Executive Order No. 193 which was expanded to rehabilitating all the remaining unproductive, denuded, and degraded forestlands estimated at 7.1 million hectares and following the updated Master Plan for forestry (2016-2028) to harmonize all forest development activities that will encourage and enhance the development of forest plantations with the participation of private sectors, local government units and People's Organizations.