CAGAYAN (August 7, 2024)—To improve capabilities of personnel in managing Protected Areas (PAs), the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Region 2 (Cagayan Valley) recently conducted a three-day capacity building workshop for protected area managers and staff in Tuguegarao City.
The DENR Region 2 said the activity aims to orient the participants on the legislation process and requirements for the remaining initial component and proposed protected areas in the region, and to introduce new policies and guidelines in protected area management.
Currently, the Cagayan Valley region has eight legislated protected areas, and the DENR is working on the legislation of four additional protected areas, including the five areas under the initial component.
Directed by DENR Regio 2 Executive Director Gwendolyn Bambalan, the capacity building for PA managers is “integral in achieving the department’s goal to intensify the preservation of protected areas in the region.”
Resource speakers from the Biodiversity Management Bureau and DENR regional and field offices provided the participants knowledge on critical habitat establishment, guidelines on the issuance of Environmental Compliance Certificates in PAs, Biodiversity Assessment and Monitoring System, protocols and identification of flora and fauna monitoring, protected area information system, and basics in photography.
A hands-on session on flora and fauna monitoring and photo documentation was also conducted at Tumauini Watershed Natural Park, a protected area in Isabela province. After the fieldwork, the participants processed and analyzed the data gathered.
“As protected area managers, we should be proactive and be firm in enforcing environmental laws,” Assistant Region 2 Executive Director for Technical Services Ismael Manaligod emphasized during the closing program of the activity.
It was organized and facilitated by the Protected Area Management and Biodiversity Conservation Section of DENR Region 2. DENR REGION 2