THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) 7 has developed a national geospatial database to improve climate risk preparedness and long-term environmental planning in the region.
DENR 7 Executive Director Paquito Melicor highlighted the agency’s environmental accomplishments during a recent forum organized by the Philippine Information Agency. He said they recorded key achievements in the first four months of the year, including forest restoration and biodiversity management.
As for the agency’s geospatial database, Melicor said the tool consolidates climate-related location data to support evidence-based decision-making.
The DENR 7 chief further said that as part of its reforestation efforts, the agency produced more than 240,000 seedlings for planting across 572 hectares. These included 45,000 bamboo seedlings, 156,000 timber seedlings, 20,000 clonal seedlings, 10,000 fruit tree seedlings and 15,000 indigenous seedlings.
Fire lines
To reduce wildfire risks, the DENR 7 established 1,030 kilometers of fire lines, including those in San Vicente, Ubay, Bohol. These are part of the identification, mapping and monitoring of fire-prone areas initiative. The agency also intensified forest patrols, covering 1,516 kilometers under the Lawin patrolling system.
It continues to manage 24 protected areas in the region, such as inland wetlands, classified caves, marine sanctuaries and Ramsar sites. Ramsar sites refer to the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, also known as the Ramsar Convention, and the specific sites designated under it. It is a global treaty that aims to conserve and sustainably use wetlands, which are diverse ecosystems like marshes, swamps and bogs.
Among the key sites are the Tañon Strait Protected Seascape and Olango Island Wildlife Sanctuary, according to Melicor.
DENR 7 implemented 11 ecotourism management plans and established 12 indicators to monitor the impact of tourism.
Regular biodiversity assessments were conducted to track the health of plant and animal populations in the region. / EHP