Ferrer noted that the DENR mission, vision and roles are well-ingrained in the minds of the employees pushing them to the limits and use their full potentials to accomplish or surpass the targets set last 2006. He encouraged all the officials to be concerned also about their “service reputation” or how will they be remembered by the community and clients they have served. “It is always good when one hears people say that this DENR official is a dedicated man or this official have helped transform our community to become more environmentally responsive and aware”, Ferrer added.

Notably, for forest management, DENR-XI was able to restore or rehabilitate a total of 475 hectares forest cover in watershed areas, 415 hectares of which is under the plantation establishment while the 60 hectares is under the soil conservation and watershed management program. Also, just last December 15, 2006, the DENR and Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) in Region XI signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the protection of the Lasang River Watershed which is one of the priority watersheds in the region for protection. There were also 180,400 hectares of untenured forestlands which were successfully protected. Seventy-seven (77) apprehensions were made which led to the apprehension/seizure of a total of 785.16 cubic meters of assorted forest products valued at Php 2.5 million.

For Land Management, 5,154 patents were issued to qualified beneficiaries covering 7,942 hectares under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) while 189 patents were issued/signed covering 130,883 square meters under the LMS regular funds. LMS surpassed its target for patent issuance by 51%. On disposition of land case, 32 cases on conflicting land claims, fake titles were resolved.

For Protected Areas, Wildlife and Coastal Zone and Marine Management, there are 10 interim Protected Area Management Boards (PAMBs) in the identified Protected Areas which are operationalized. Mangrove rehabilitation accounts for 12.35 hectares while 2,570 hectares of existing mangrove areas were placed under protection activity. Presently, the region is undertaking the delineation and establishment of concrete monument at Mt. Hamiguitan Wildlife Sanctuary in Davao Oriental.

Under the Ecosystems Research and Development Service (ERDS) about 10,000 quality planting materials were produced, some of which were distributed during the launching of the Green Philippine Highways (GPH) Project last August while some were distributed to LGUs and other local clients for planting. It has also maintained its Margrovetum project at Brgy. San Isdiro, Babak, Island Garden City of Samal. Appropriate practices and procedures on Vegetative Propagation for Dipterocarps and other selected species were developed while 4 species were studied such as mahogany, dipterocarp (almon and white lauan), molave and narra.

For Environmental Management, 4 Air Quality Monitoring Stations were maintained and 3 industrial firms namely: San Miguel Brewery, Steniel Mindanao Packaging and Holcim-Davao Plant have implemented the third party sampling of their smoke stacks. Two priority rivers in Region XI were monitored, the Davao River and Talomo River- the BOD of both rivers are way below the standards set by the DENR. On Toxic Substance and Waste Management, 7 firms were surveyed under the Chemical Control Order; 12 dealers, users, resellers of mercury, cyanide and ozone depleting substances were registered; 70 registered hazardous waste generators were monitored; and, 224 industrial firms and 6 hospitals as hazardous waste generators were registered.

Under the Geo-Hazard Survey and Assessment of the Mines and Geo-Sciences Bureau (MGB), the region had completed the survey and the 1:50,000 scale maps covering 23 municipalities within the 3 provinces. Also conducted were technical conference with LGUs and other stakeholders of identified high- risk areas specifically in the 6 municipalities of Compostela Valley province and 2 municipalities in Davao Oriental. MGB XI was also able to organize Task Force Manay to undertake assessment, public hearings and other activities required by law to declare portion of the municipalties of Manay, Maragusan and Pantukan as Mineral Reservation Areas.

DENR-XI has also implemented other priority programs/special and intervening projects such as the Southern Mindanao Integrated Coastal Resource Management Project (SMICZP), BIMP-EAGA, the DA-DAR-DENR Convergence Program for Rural Sustainable Development, the Diwalwal Direct State Utilization Project, Avian Influenza Protection Program, the Mining Rehabilitation Fund Committee (MRFC),Kapit Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan (KALAHI), among others.

A total revenue of Php 55,407,267.31 from forest charges, environmental charges, lands charges, among others was collected.

These are only some highlights of accomplishments of DENR-XI. Copies of narrative report on said topic are available at the DENR XI Regional Office, Lanang, Davao City.

Meanwhile, Regional Executive Director Ricardo L. Calderon is optimistic that DENRXI can accomplish its 2007 targets given the support of all the sectors in the region. (Bing Sison- DENR XI)