SAN FRANCISCO, Agusan del Sur – In line with World Environment Month, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has honored 46 environmental partners for their unwavering support in the implementation of its programs and projects, particularly on environment preservation and forest protection, in Agusan del Sur.
DEPARTMENT of Environment and Natural Resources officials pose with environmental partners who were awarded Certificates of Recognition and Commendation during World Environment Month held at PERA Micro Hotel, San Francisco town, Agusan del Sur province. (Mike U. Crismundo) Bunawan DENR-Community Environment and Natural Resources Officer (CENRO) Jerome H. Albia said that these partners play a key role in the enforcement of environmental laws and policies during the awarding ceremony at the PERA-MPC Micro Hotel here. Albia said this strengthened the linkages and cooperation between the recognized environmental partners and the facilitating agency. “Through your support, we would be able to ensure the safety and security of our personnel in the field, and we could not afford to risk or sacrifice another life in the field the way it happened in the past,” Albia said, referring to the death of his personnel combating an illegal activity within their area of responsibility in the southern part of this province. Due to the mountainous areas in some parts of this province, government considered these as hot spots in the forest protection drive being conducted by the DENR the past several years. Albia and Agusan del Sur Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer (PENRO) Forester Norman A. Asugan  recognized the unwavering support of their environmental partners in environment preservation and forest protection and combating global warming and climate change mitigation which is one of the flagship programs of DENR Secretary Maria Antonia “Toni” Yulo-Loyzaga thoroughly implemented and guided by DENR-13 Regional Executive Director (RED) Nonito M. Tamayo. “We are looking forward for your continued support in the conservation and protection  of our environment and natural resources,” said Asugan and Albia. Some of the awardees who received Certificates of Recognition and Commendation were Philsaga Mining Corp. under the leadership of president Raul C. Villanueva, National Bureau of Investigation Special Agent Vine A. Perocho, Lt. Col. Vitolo Florence D. Belmonte, commanding officer of the Army 67th Infantry Battalion, Lt. Col. Sandy R. Majarocon, commanding officer of the Army 26th Infantry Battalion, Police Lt. Col. Feluvini R. Consuegra of 2nd Platoon, Provincial Mobile Force, Police Lt. Augustine R. Jaluage of the 1303rd Regional Mobile Force Battalion, local chief executives and officials of the province and municipalities, Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Officers (MENROs), and municipal chiefs of police chiefs and deputies and indigenous peoples (IPs). The DENR also honored and awarded Certificates of Recognition to untiring support of some members of the media and the Provincial Multi-Sectoral Forest Protection Committee officials and members. Among the programs for environment month being conducted by the DENR is tree-planting activities in vacant areas in the province participated in by foresters and personnel of the CENRO. Tamayo on Thursday, June 15, thanked Agusan del Sur Rep. Adolf Edward “Eddie-Bong” Plaza, Gov. Santiago B. Cane Jr., and Rep.  Alfel M. Bascug for their all-out support to environment programs in the province. Meanwhile, students from 143 public schools in Agusan del Sur have started using the 7,667 newly fabricated armchairs turned  over by Tamayo to Cane. Tamayo said these armchairs were made from 498.31 cubic meters of confiscated logs and flitches in the forest protection drive of the agency turned over to the provincial government.