Events

For 12 years, the Regional Integrated Coastal Resource Management Center (RIC-XI) through Davao Oriental State University (DOrSU) has been the hub for biodiversity monitoring and research, training, and demonstration activities and the focal point in undertaking the Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) campaign in coordination with the Convention on Biodiversity’s efforts in Communication, Education, and Public Awareness (CEPA).

In celebration of World Wildlife Day in 2024, we conducted an IEC campaign entitled "REthinking Impact: An IEC on Marine Conservation and Regenerative Development." It's grounded in the urgent need to address the critical challenges facing marine ecosystems and wildlife conservation. The target participants of the said IEC campaign are the students of Barangay Dahican, Bobon, and Tamisan. This activity will be implemented over three consecutive weeks, targeting six schools.

We successfully conducted our first week of the IEC campaign on March 13, 2024, at the Benito G. Rabat Executive Elementary School and Don Luis Rabat Sr. Memorial School. The activity commenced with informative sessions and interactive presentations at two beneficial schools in Dahican.

This activity was organized by DORSU - BSES GreenPulse in collaboration with the Faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences—Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science Program, DORSU Regional Integrated Coastal Resource Management Center XI, DORSU Center for Futures Thinking and Regenerative Development, DORSU M2P2 Research Program, Mama Earth Foundation, DENR-Community of Environment and Natural Resources Office (Mati), BFAR-Provincial Fisheries Office (Davao Oriental), MASONIC District R-XI (Davao Oriental), City of Mati LGU, rrreefs, Sangguniang Kabataan-Barangay Dahican, Project Para Sa Bayan, City ENRO, Sawom Davao Oriental and Coast Guard Station (Davao Oriental).

As we reflect on its achievements, it is evident that RIC-XI will continue to inspire future generations to safeguard our precious coastal resources for years to come.

This orientation activity aims to provide an overview on the features and functionalities of the eCITES PH to wildlife permittees. eCITES PH is an online permitting system developed by the Bureau with the assistance from the DENR-ADB/GEF IWT Project to facilitate the processing of permit applications for import, export, and re-export of terrestrial wildlife listed under the said Convention. Annually, over 1000 CITES Permits are issued by BMB through manual process for commercial, personal, and scientific purposes. Birds, reptiles, mammals, insects, and plants including by-products and derivatives such as handbags, shoes, watchstraps were among the wildlife specimens subject for international trade. With that, the automation of permitting system is seen as crucial for the issuance of CITES Permits to manage and regulate the international trade in wildlife. The automation of CITES processes enforces regulations, increases transparency, and reduces opportunities for corruption and use of fraudulent documents. Likewise, the eCITES PH will help applicants keep track of their applications online.

A venue to formally recognize private individuals and non-DENR officials/personnel who have provided invaluable assistance and unqualified support to the DENR in enforcing the provisions of the Wildlife Act (RA 9147). For the past ten (10) years, the DENR has conferred the award to 880 recipients from various enforcement partner agencies and civil society organizations, including private individuals. For this year, more than two hundred officials/personnel primarily from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Bureau of Customs (BOC), Philippine National Police – Maritime Group (PNP-MG), Philippine National Police – Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) and PNP Police Regional Offices will be formally commended for their valuable assistance and dedication to wildlife law enforcement from January to December 2023.

The awarding ceremony will also serve as a venue for the DENR to call for stronger support and greater commitment from each of the awardees and their respective institutions/ agencies to curb illegal wildlife trade. It will also be a way to encourage support from a wider sector of the society and the Filipino citizenry in protecting wildlife.