ERDB NewsletterVol. 2 No. 2 April -June 2008

DENR

INSIDE: n 2 AD Leuvy presents research paper in Korea n 2 ERDB researchers attend Asia-Pacific Forestry Week Celebration n 3 ERDB and PG of Quezon to Propel ecotourism n 3 3rd ERDB - MIA Badminton Tournament n 4 TDD wins GAD contest on novelty creations n 4 ERDB greets Dir. Amaro on his 48th b-day n 5 Special Order No. 52 names GAD Focal Point Persons n 5 ERDB conducts Training-Workshop on Harmonized Gender and Development (GAD) Guidelines at NAMRIA n 6 Nationwide flag raising held simultaneously n 6 UFERD Chief receives plaque n 6 Consultative Meeting with FASPO

Director’s Engagements

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Independence Day Rites were held at the Sta. Cruz, Laguna Town Hall on June 12, 2008 with no less than the DENR Secretary Jose L. Atienza, Jr. leading the flag raising.

The flag raising event was held simultaneously all over the country with Sta. Cruz, Laguna as the focus of the activity for the province. Historically, Sta. Cruz was the base of some significant Filipino revolutionary generals like General Juan Cailles and Paciano Rizal.

The Sta. Cruz, Laguna Independence Day Rites consisted of three parts: (1) the flag raising; (2) the wreath laying for the heroes during the revolution of 1898; and (3) a program participated in by Laguna LGU, regional and national government officials led by DENR Secretary Atienza, Laguna Gov. Teresita S. Lazaro, Sta. Cruz Mayor Ariel T. Magcalas, Board Member Andrew Nocon, Reg. 4A RED Eduardo B. Principe. The last part was the signing of the covenant for Mother Earth by the DENR and Laguna LGU officials.

Laguna was one of the eight provinces to rise in revolt against

Independence Day rites Shown in photo from left: Board Member Andrew Nocon, Sta. Cruz, Laguna Mayor Ariel T. Magcalas, Laguna Governor Teresita S. Lazaro, the DENR Secretary and Mrs. Jose L. Atienza, Jr.

April 200812 - National Committee on Biosafety (NCBP) Meeting, DOST, Bicutan, Taguig, Metro Manila15 - Community Based Forest Management (CBFM) Meeting, DENR,Quezon City16 - Mt. Banahaw MOA Signing, Dolores, Quezon22 - Earth Day Celebration - SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City24-25- 98th UPCFNR Alumni Homecoming, UPCFNR College, Laguna28 - Special PCARRD Governing Council Meeting, PCARRD, Los Baños, LagunaMay 2008 2 - Environment Month Meeting, DENR,Quezon City

THE UPCFNR (University of the Philippines College of Forestry and Natural Resources) awarded a plaque of

UPCFNR Plaque for ERDB Assistant Directorappreciation to ERDB Assistant Director Leuvina M. Tandug on April 24, 2008 at the 90th UPLBCFNR Alumni Homecoming in College, Laguna.

The plaque signifies Dr. Tandug’s distinctive career achievement as the Asst. Director of the Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau (ERDB) which brings honor and prestige to her Alma Mater and the UPLBCFNR Alumni Association.

Dr. Tandug finished her Bachelor of Science in Agriculture major in Statistics at the UPLB in 1972. She finished her Master of Science in Statistics at the UPLB in 1977. After that, she completed her PhD in Forest Resource Management (FRM) major in Forest Biometry also in UPLB in 1987. Marla V. Cambay, TDD

The ERDB Choir singing Pambansang Awit ng Pilipinas during the Independence Day Celebration on June 12, 2008 in Sta. Cruz, Laguna.

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Independence day rites.. from page 1

ERDB researchers attend Asia-Pacific Forestry Week

P rolific researcher, Dr. Aida B. Lapis, Supervising Science Research Specialist and Chief of the Land Rehabilitation Section of ERDB and current

Deputy Project Director and Research Component Leader, ITTO-Philippines-ASEAN Rattan Project, attended the recently concluded “Asia- Pacific Forestry Week (APFW)” held at the National Convention Center in Hanoi, Vietnam on 21-26 April 2008.

The main organizer of this international forestry event is the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations with its theme “Forestry in a Changing World”. This event was co-organized by the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) and the Asia-Pacific Association of Forestry Research Institutions (APAFRI) in order for the Special Session on “Forestry Research and Education in a Changing World” be discussed/tackled at the APFW. The special session was organized to sensitize the stakeholders about the present status of the forestry research and education in the Asia-Pacific region and also the need to reorient and upgrade it to meet the emerging challenges in the forestry sector.

There were about 700 participants who came from more than 50 countries. This APFW was the largest, single

Dr. Aida B. Lapis together with participants of the Asia - Pacific Forestry Week held in Hanoi, Vietnam on 21-26 April 2008.

the Spanish misrule led by Generals Paciano Rizal of Calamba, Severino Taiño of Pagsanjan, Agueda Kahabagan (woman general) of Calauan, and Miguel Malvar of Batangas. The ill-equipped Filipino forces fought the well-armed enemy until August 31, 1898, when the last Spanish garrison surrendered to the victorious patriots in Santa Cruz. The province was cleared of Spaniards.

Upon the outbreak of the Filipino-American War (1899-1901), General Juan Cailles and General Paciano Rizal led the defense of Laguna until June 30, 1901, when surrender became inevitable. Cailles became the first Filipino Governor

of Laguna under the American flag.

The ERDB Choir (Zhiela Alcantara, Salvacion Alcasid, Catalina Aldemita, Aerold Alegre, Rebecca Arcilla, Marilou Arcillas, Liberato Bacod, Cyrus Calinawan, Felipe Chicano, Shiela Dequina, Henry Eugenio, Digno Garcia, Glen John Gutierrez, Nolita Gasapos, Nestor Leviste, Romana Mauricio, Cesario Moslares, Fe Ociones, Concepcion Palaypayon, Hector Payuan, Wellington Rosacia, Lourdes Tangkeko and Lolita Villanueva) sang the Pambansang Awit ng Pilipinas during the flag raising. They also sang Pilipinas kong Mahal – during the closing program and the signing of the covenant for Mother Earth by the Laguna LGU officials, DENR and other agencies. Bong Baltazar and M.V. Cambay, TDD

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Asst. Director Leuvina M. Tandug attended the National Annual Convention of the Korean Society of Soil Science and Fertilizers in Jeongseon-Gun,

Kangwon Province on May 21-30, 2008. She presented her research work on the Biomass and carbon sequestration of Gmelina arborea in the Philippines.

More than 50 research papers and 30 posters about soils and fertilizers were presented and exhibited during the convention. Majority of the papers and posters were related to climate change.

Ninety-five percent (95%) of the papers presented and

posters exhibited were in Korean language. Only four (4) papers were presented in English. These were: Effects of compost application on carbon storage in long-term fertilized paddy soils; Risk assessment of heavy metals in the vicinity of an abandoned mine; Immobilization of heavy metals; and Effect of iron slags on arsenic immobilization as soil amendment.

The last paper was presented by Ms. Jessie Gutierrez, a Filipina from the LGU of Malaybalay, Bukidnon taking up her masteral degree at Gyeonyam National University in Korea. Marla V. Cambay, TDD

AD Leuvy presents research paper in Korea

event to deal exclusively with forests in the Asia-Pacific this year. It was anchored around the Asia-Pacific Forestry Commission which brought together forestry leaders from 33 member countries. The Commission’s aim was to assess forestry issues and chart directions for forest policy in the years to come. The first event was participated in by NGOs, government officials and/or representatives, academe and the private sector. For the Philippines, there were 44 participants from various government

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T o ensure the successful implementation of the ongoing project entitled “Comprehensive Diagnostic Assessment to Enhance Ecotourism in Barangay Kinabuhayan

and Taytay, Mt. Banahaw San Cristobal Protected Landscape (MBSCPL), and to encourage its stakeholders to support and strengthen the sustainable management of MBSCPL, a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the DENR-ERDB and the Provincial Government Environment and Natural Resources Office (PG-ENRO) of Quezon was signed on 16 April 2006. The DENR-ERDB was represented by its Director, For. Marcial C. Amaro , Jr., while the PG-ENRO was represented by Mr. Manuel A. Beloso. The event took place at the Bangkong Kahoy Valley Ecotourism Site in Kinabuhayan, Dolores, Quezon.

As per salient provisions of the MOA, the DENR-ERDB will supervise the overall implementation of the project; identify existing and potential ecotourism activities and destination sites within Barangay Kinabuhayan; design appropriate hardscape and landscape and nature-based recreational facilities, taking into consideration the general makeup and cultural attributes of the area; and survey potential areas for the establishment of ecological trails and other ecotourism facilities such as camping, nature walk, religious retreat, view deck, and others.

The PG-ENRO, on the other hand, will provide the necessary financial and logistical requirements needed in the

implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the project. It will also assist the ERDB technical staff in surveying and delineating the areas/sites identified for ecotourism development plan, particularly the hardscape and landscape, into appropriate architectural and engineering designs and perspective, including an estimate of costs, bill of materials, and other related financial requirements. Finally, it will assist ERDB during the consultation meeting and related IEC, public disclosure activities where the designs and proposed ecotourism development plan will be presented for approval.

The MOA signing was witnessed by Mayor Renato Alilio of Dolores, Quezon and Emmanuel A. Calayag, the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Officer of Dolores; Dr. Lope Calanog, project leader of the above-mentioned project; and For. Gregorio D. Reyes, Chief of ERDB-UFERD. Also present during the signing were some staff from DENR-ERDB, PG-ENRO, Protected Area Superintendent (PASU) Office of Mt. Banahaw- San Cristobal Protected Landscape, Quezon, and the Municipality of Dolores and Sta. Lucia, Dolores, Quezon and the owner of Bangkong Kahoy Valley Ecotourism Site, Mr. Dion Pullan.

After the signing, a tour at the Bangkong Kahoy Valley Ecotourism Site took place. Likewise, a visit of the camping area and other interesting sites in Barangay Kinabuhayan was done. Sally T. Orobia, UFERD

ERDB and PG of Quezon to propel ecotourism

3rd ERDB - MIA Badminton Tournament held

It was a day of fun and excitement for the ERDB Badminton Club (EBC) and the Club MIA (Manila International Airport) Badminton Club members in its 3rd Tournament last April 26, 2008 at the Argon Resort

“Smash Box´ Badminton Court, Rhodas Subdivision, Los Baños, Laguna.

This year’s host is the Club MIA through its Chair, Engr. Freddie Cano. The MIA Team in the Tournament was headed by Lt. Roger Silapan, Club MIA Vice Chair.

For. Reyes of ERDB awards the trophy to Lt. Silapan, Club MIA Vice Chair during the 3rd Badminton Tournament on April 26, 2008 at the “Smash Box”, Rhodas Subd., Los Baños, Laguna.

For. Gregorio Reyes, Chief, Upland Farms Ecosystem Research Division and EBC Auditor, led the opening prayer for the tournament. Players for ERDB were Greg Reyes, Frank Cabrera (EBC Vice Chair), Levi Lantican (Tournament Director), Henry Eugenio, Russel Olan, Reynaldo Parco, Danilo Cabuscabus, Elpidio Rimando, Nestor Leviste, Alvin Olvida, Eustaquio Natividad, Dale Ramos, Jonathan Zerrudo, and Doming Suiza. Among the female ERDB players were Lydia Balatero, Nory Bayani, Ella Cariño, Lotlot Cabuscabus, Fe Ociones, Lita Reyes and Jo Garcia, and with guest players, Jessica Torno from PAWB and Jane Corcuera of LGU Los Baños.

Games were held the whole day. Breakfast was served with a hot bowl of “goto”. Some of the Club MIA members brought along their families to enjoy swimming.

A sumptuous lunch was shared by the two teams. In the afternoon, games continued and true enough, it was a close fight between the two teams especially in the men’s game.

But in the end, Club MIA once again victoriously brought home the championship trophy. CONGRATULATIONS TO CLUB MIA! Lita G. Reyes, TDD

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TDD wins GAD contest on novelty creations

ERDB greets Dir. Amaro on his 48th birthday

The Technology Development Division (TDD) won the contest on Novelty Creations from Solid Waste Materi-als sponsored by the Gender and Development (GAD)

Women Inc. on June 23, 2008 at the ERDB Auditorium.

The other entries were from the Forest Ecosystem Research Division (FERD) which presented the back/foot massager from used shuttlecocks. The Coastal Zone and Freshwater Ecosystems Research Division (CZFERD) presented a pillow stuffed with charcoal. The Los Baños Experiment Station (LBES) made a file case made from used diskettes while the Laboratory staff made a wall décor/massage mat from old

newspapers and pillow case from coffee foil wrappers. The Fi-nance and Administrative Services Division (FASD) presented a flower vase from old magazines and lampshade from wine bottle. Finallly, the Upland Farms Ecosystem Research Division (UFERD) prepared a lampshade from used staple wires.

The first prize (chandelier from compact disks) was awarded to the Technology Development Division (TDD) which garnered an average score of 78.67% with a cash prize of P5,000. This was followed by the Forest Ecosystems Research Division (FERD) (back and foot massager from used shuttlecocks) with an average score of 75.53% and a cash prize of P3,000. The third prize was the flower vase from old magazines from the FASD with an average score of 71.44% and a cash prize of P2,000.

The panel of judges were composed of ERDB OIC Asst. Director Leuvina Tandug, Ms. Juliet Texon, Head of DENR GAD Secretariat, and Ms. Theresa Calo, trainor/consultant of the Eco Solid Waste Management Earth Renewal Project.

Ms. Zhiela Alcantara’s group also presented a special number and Ms. Monette Mauricio served as emcee during the pro-gram. Marla V. Cambay, TDD

Amidst the fast and dizzying life of a ranking DENR official, Director Mars Amaro celebrated his 48th birhtday at the Ecosystems Research and

Development Bureau.

Employees from all units, offices and divisions came into his room to greet the Director and give their warm greetings, offer handshakes, give their hugs and kisses, and express their wishes for him. Others came to sing birthday songs, and cheered the youthful Director on his special day.

agencies, academe, NGOs, LGUs and the private sector.

The topics/issues discussed in various sessions were climate change, invasive species, forest-dependent people, protected areas, forestry governance or forest education and research, among others.

Session materials such as program guide, flyers, Hanoi guide and APFW Newsbits were provided to the participants.

The other ERDB researcher who also attended this event was Mr. Horacio San Valentin of the Forest Ecosystems Research Division (FERD). Dolora B. Bandian, GDAERD

ERDB researchers attend... from page 2

Director Amaro welcomed everyone with his fatherly, brotherly and friendly gestures and responded with meaningful messages of thankfulness and appreciation for everybody.

The TDD staff, together with Assistant Director Leuvy Tandug, Ms. Monette Santos , GAD focal person, pose before the TDD’s winning entry, (chandelier from compact disks).

Director Amaro thanked the ERDB employees for adding meaning and value to his birthday. Bong Baltazar, TDD

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Pursuant to the provisions of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women CEDAW), Republic Act (R.A.) No.

7192 otherwise known as the Women in Development and Nation Building Act, the DENR issued Administrative Order No. 11 dated June 12, 2008 for the DENR Central Office, Regional Offices, bureaus, field offices and attached agencies.

The Department Order states that GAD members should be represented in the different office committees of the DENR. It is designed to ensure: (a) that women are accorded equal rights with men in terms of opportunities and privileges to manage, administer and implement research and developmental programs and spearhead environmental projects; (b) in appointment to key positions, the qualifications of deserving women and men be evaluated according to merits and positions in accordance with the Civil Service law, rules and regulations; and (c) women be regarded as mutual partners of men in policy and decision making in the management of the environment and natural resources and be given opportunity to handle major programs.

Special Order no. 52 names GAD Focal Point Persons

The Order will pursue the vision of a 50-50 men-women ratio of personnel occupying plantilla positions in the DENR. The GAD representatives will also see to it that women are not discriminated in the promotion and selection of employees in the DENR System.

In response to the said DENR A.O., Director Marcial C. Amaro, Jr. issued ERDB Special Order No. 52 dated July 17, 2008 authorizing ERDB GAD representatives to sit as members of the different committees of the Bureau, to wit:

Name Committee1. Monette S. Santos Promotion and Selection Board (PSB)2. Lope A. Calanog Policy Technical Working Group (PTWG)3. Carmelita I. Villamor Performance Evaluation Review Group (PERG)4. Romana A. Mauricio Programs on Rewards and Incentives Service (PRAISE)5. Vienna Austria Grievance Committee

Copies of the ERDB Special Order were distributed to all divisions and units. Monette S. Santos, UFERD

Ms. Monette S. Santos, the Bureau’s GAD Focal Point was invited to conduct aTraining-Workshop on harmonized GAD Guidelines on June 25-29, 2008 at

the NAMRIA Lecture Hall, Taguig City.

The training-workshop served as a refresher course on basic key concepts and principles and tools on gender and development and a familiarization of the Philippine Harmonized GAD Guidelines in three modules. This also served as venue for interaction on how these guidelines will be applied to the NAMRIA programs and projects.

The training was participated in by 20 NAMRIA personnel at the supervisory level. As their output, the participants were expected to prepare action plans in pursuing GAD advocacy and promotion, particularly on the Harmonized GAD Guidelines.

The Harmonized GAD Guidelines was produced by the Official Development Assistance-Gender and Development (ODA-GAD) Network together with NEDA and NCRFW in 2004 to implement R.A. 7192.

ERDB conducts Training-Workshop on Harmonized Gender and Development (GAD) Guidelines at NAMRIA

It will guide the integration of GAD perspective in the development planning process and various stages of the project cycle. It also addresses the issues of inadequate sex-disaggregated data and statistics.

The goals of the guidelines are: (a) to provide NEDA, ODA donors, Philippine government agencies and development practitioners with a common set of analytical concepts and tools to integrate gender concerns into development programs and projects; and (b) help achieve gender equality and empower women through projects and programs.

The guidelines’ three modules. are: Part I - set of checklist or guide questions on Project Development and Design; Part II - guidelines on Project Development in particular sectors and Part III - GAD checklists on Project Implementation and Management and Monitoring and Evaluation. Monette S. Santos, UFERD

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Director’s Engagements. . . from page 1

Contributions from all employees are welcome as per guidelines set in ERDB Memo. dated Aug. 31, 2007. This Newsletter is produced quarterly in coordination with all Offices, Divisions and Units of the ERDB.

Executive Advisers : Leuvina M. Tandug Lope A. Calanog

Editorial Adviser : Eliseo M. Baltazar

Managing Editor : Marla V. Cambay

Assistant Editor : Carmelita G. Reyes

Layout : Liberato A. Bacod

Proofreading/ : Flora B. PalicpicCirculation Eduardo M. Tolentino

Printing : Celso A. Luna

ERDB NewsletterVol. 2 No. 2 April -June 2008

DENR

T he ERDB-FASPO consultative meeting was held on April 8, 2008 at the ERDB Conference Room to discuss the results of the Gap Analysis on RDE.

The discussion identified sectoral thrusts and priorities where the ERDB should participate in, such as biodiversity, coastal and marine ecosystems; forest ecosystem; air, water and climate change to determine the gaps and identify proposed initiatives and reconnect corresponding projects for funding by foreign donors and financial institutions.

Some of the projects proposed by ERDB involved protected area management, coastal zone rehabilitation, climate change, solid waste management, technology transfer, extension and training needs of the Research Sector and Field Offices.

The FASPO delegation was headed by Forester Conrado Bravante, Jr., Emma Diez, Madel Villalon and Erlinda Mamaradlo.

The FASPO officials also presented the types of assistance of foreign donors and the major financial windows. Eliseo M. Baltazar, TDD

Consultative Meeting with FASPO held

Forester Gregorio D. Reyes, Chief of the Upland Farms Ecosystem Research Division (UFERD) was one of the awardees as an “Outstanding Alumnus in Government

Service” in the Golden Jubilee Celebration of the Taal Elementary School in Bocaue, Bulacan held on May 3, 2008.

The search was opened to deserving alumni of TES from 1949-1990 by the Taal Elementary School Alumni Association (TESAA) officers. The aim was to recognize and honor deserving alumni for their exemplary performance and individual achievements and contributions to their respective industry, profession in community, making them a role model to their fellow alumni and other students, thereby bringing honor to their Alma Mater.

Forester Reyes has served the government for 39 years: 12 years in Mindoro Island, 6 years in Cagayan Valley and the rest in Los Baños, Laguna. He said that it was a sacrifice to work in a government office. “One cannot choose the place of assignment” That is the reason why he had to live apart from his family for the first 18 years of his married life. He seldom saw his wife and kids during that period and even at the time he was needed most. His meager salary hindered him from spending for his transportation fare to be with his family. There were even threats to his life from influential people while performing his duties in protecting the environment and forest resources in his area of jurisdiction. According to For. Reyes, half of his life has been spent serving the government and there is no reason for him to stop pursuing what he has started until his retirement in year 2010. Lita G. Reyes, TDD

UFERD Chief receives plaque

12 - National Program Support for Environment and Natural Resources Management Program, DENR, Quezon City

In observance of the National Flag Day on May 2008, the ERDB took part in the simultaneous flag raising ceremony throughout the country.

With the theme “Igalang and Ating Watawat, Sa Isip, Sa Salita at Sa Gawa”, the campaign aimed to promote public awareness of good citizenship values such as love of country, respect for the flag and the elderly, patriotism and nationalism.

In the culminating program, Ms. Emma Paunlagui led the short prayer, the ERDB choir led the singing of the Philippine National Anthem; afterwhich, the “Pilipinas Kong Mahal” was sung. The “Panunumpa sa Watawat ng Pilipinas” was led by Ms. Cristina Apolinar. A concise history of the Philippine flag and the representation of the colors of the flag were explained by Ms. Myrna Tomboc and Ms. Marilou Arcillas. This was followed by a short message from ERDB Director Marcial C. Amaro, Jr.

The display of the Philippine flag started on May 28 and culminated on June 21, 2008. Marilou C. Arcillas, FASD

Nationwide flag raising held simultaneously

19 - National Flag Day Meeting, DENR, Quezon City24 - NCBP MeetingJune 20084 - World Bank’s Country Environmental Analysis for the Philippines Meeting, FASPO, DENR5 - Launching of the East Asian Seas Congress - Illustrado Restaurant, Intramuros , Manila12- 110th Independence Day Celebration, Sta. Cruz, Laguna16-17 - World Bank’s Country Environmental Analysis for the Philippines’ Workshop, Discovery Suites, Ortigas