The Department of Environment and Natural Resources Region I, concludes Secretary Atienza's first year with continuous efforts towards the sustainable development, effective conservation and management of the region's environment and natural resources. For August 2007 to June 2008, the men and women of the DENR in the Ilocos Region pursued their mandated thrusts/projects/programs with vigor and dedication.  Hence, the office remarkably attained its targets, goals and objectives earmarked, above par.

       In the Forestry Sector, 92 hectares of new forest plantations were established while 314 (2007) and 283 (2008) hectares of previously established plantations were effectively maintained and protected.  These activities support the reforestation and greening program of the government.

       The continuous protection of untenured areas covering 341,886 (2007) and 336,149 (2008) hectares, was conducted through patrol works, manning of checkpoints and ground surveillances within hot spot areas. Strengthened 6 Multi-Sectoral Forest Protection Committee (MFPCs)

       Likewise, 44 hectares were developed within agro-forestry areas in partnership with eight CBFM People's Organizations (POs).  The POs were assisted in its organizational strengthening activities by equipping them with needed skills and knowledge in the technical and managerial aspect of their organization.

       Meanwhile, the characterization of Buaya River Watershed covering 24,138 hectares was completed.  The activity determines the appropriate measures to be introduced in the rehabilitation of identified critical watershed in the region.  Also, a total of 11 hectares of degraded watershed areas were rehabilitated during the 2nd quarter of this year.

       In the implementation of the Forest Land Boundary Delineation, a total of 325.79 kms was delineated registering 105 percent accomplishment.

       The Land Management Service continued its effort towards poverty alleviation and sustainable management and development of natural resources particularly the remaining lands of the public domain.

       To address equitable land disposition and utilization of land resources, this office was able to issue 8,793 patents with an equivalent area of 2914.4148 hectares.  The patents were transmitted to the Register of Deeds for recording.

       A total of 5.5753 hectares of the public domain were disposed thru miscellaneous sales applications covering 111 land patents.

       Public Land Subdivision Survey Projects were completed covering a total of 6335.8149 hectares of agricultural lands.  This activity would facilitate the distribution of agricultural lands under the CARP.

       The sector was able to process 226 foreshore applications with an area of 60.0844 hectares accomplishing 461%.  The proper management of foreshore areas can generate & can become a potential source of needed revenue collection of the government.

       Under management of patrimonial properties, this office continued the distribution of titles to qualified occupants/applicants of the insular government property at the Pindangan Estate in Alcala, Pangasinan.  From Aug to December 2007, Deeds of Absolute Sale together with land titles were issued to ten (10) claimants/beneficiaries with an area of 0.2826 hectares who have completely paid the purchase price of the lots. While 17 deeds/lease contracts with an area of 5.9875 ha. were processed for the first semester of 2008.

       For Protected Areas and Wildlife and Coastal Zone Management Service (PAWCZMS) during the period, proved to be an eventful year in the implementation of the National Integrated Protected Areas system (NIPAS). Ecotourism Development, Biodiversity Monitoring System (BMS), monitoring of other important Biodiversity Areas and Philippine Raptor Conservation Program.

       NIPAS implementation included the management of fourteen (14) protected areas in the region, the operationalization of their respective PAMBs, assessement and zoning of four (4) protected areas for ecotourism. 

       Biodiversity Monitoring System (BMS) at Manleluag Spring Protected Landscape is conducted using the four major field methods: Transect Walk, Field Diary, focus Group Discussion and Photo Documentation Results from this activity have been used as guide for PMB intervention.

       Inasmuch as Region I is one of the critical habitats of the country's remaining raptors efforts on the conservation and protection of the region's remaining raptors gained support from our partners on retrieval and release.  In the maintenance of raptors under custody, the La Union Botanical Garden, with which DENR-I and the Provincial Government of the Province of La Union, remains as the Regional Rescue Center.

       On board strokes, the positive contributions delivered by the Coastal Marine Management Division to the Blue Sector were made possible by linkaging and partnership forged with coastal resources management (CRM) partners.

       To compensate for the manpower limitations of the office resources of other partner agencies and LGUs were tapped to ensure better delivery of CRM services.

       LGU resources were also mobilized especially in the conduct of mangrove ground validation activity.  As a result, the target number of hectares for mangrove ground validation and mapping was accomplished.  Measures to mitigate the overexploitation of mangroves were also addressed as in the case of Bantigi (Phempis acidula) which is being harvested including its substrate, for commercial bonsai trade.

       The Ecosystems Research and Development Sector undertook five (5) major programs geared towards sustainable utilization and environmental protection.  The significant accomplishments in these programs were:

         "        Vulnerability Assessment of Characterized Watershed for Environmental Management and Disaster Prevention

         "        The characterized watershed, Lower Agno River Basin was updated through gathering of secondary and primary data. The characterization report contains the completion of the bio-physical & socio-economic data needed in the analysis. Likewise, identification of hazard & field mapping had been done. Meanwhile, initial assessment of vulnerable areas within the Buaya River watershed was undertaken.

         "        Determination of Carrying Capacity (CARCAP) of Various Areas/Sites for Resources Conservation, Ecotourism and Sustainable Development.

         "        The carrying capacity and impact assessment of the Manleluag Spring Protected Landscape was attained through the conduct of leveling off activities with ERDB Program Coordinators & Staff. To further realize this activity, secondary data has been gathered to be used as input for the determination of the carrying capacity of the area. Furthermore, three survey instruments were prepared.

         "        Five (5) personnel attended capability training on the Carrying Capacity of Grazing Lands Assessment of Herbage Yield of Grazing Lands. Lectures on on-site demonstration & establishment of sampling plots were discussed. Also, a reconnaissance survey was conducted at Brgy. Aloo, Umingan, Pangasinan for a re-establishment of the study which covered three (3) sampling plots.

Rehabilitation & Ecological Restoration for Marginal & Degraded Landscapes & Seascapes.

        "        Eleven (11) staff/personnel attended leveling off/training/workshops regarding CARCAP in grazing lands and standard protocol for the establishment of pilot demonstration areas for damaged coastal/mangrove areas in order to equip them with necessary information/technologies in the preparation of a compendium.  Under Pilot Testing of developed protocol for coastal areas, characterization of mangrove area was conducted.

Production of High Quality Planting Materials

        "        Seventy four species were validated in the existing stands in Marcos, Ilocos Norte to determine their phenotypically superior qualities. High quality planting materials that were produced from these seeds, wildlings or rooted cuttings are necessary to replenish the forest resources that are in danger of losing its rich genetic resources due to the destructive activities of man.

IEC and Capacity Enhancement

        "        An integrated, coordinated IEC & technology transfer efforts were undertaken thru effective media linkage & print publication of four (4) press releases & two (2) broadcast releases. Furthermore, four (4) issues of ENR Techno Bulletin were produced in partnership with GOs/NGOs, LGUs, Academe & POs.