DENR Western Visayas

|| DENR Region VI marks Month of the Ocean with coastal clean-up, land titling, and CARP livelihood MOA

In celebration of the Month of the Ocean 2026, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region VI, through PENRO Iloilo and CENRO Guimbal, successfully spearheaded Month of the Ocean Celebration Cum Handog Titulo and MOA Signing earlier today at the Lamara Beach Resort in Brgy. Amboyu-an, San Joaquin, Iloilo.

The event was led by DENR Region VI Regional Executive Director Raul L. Lorilla, alongside PENR Officer Salvador Manglinong Jr. and CENR Officer Armin Halili.

The activity commenced with an early morning coastal clean-up drive that mobilized 124 local participants, successfully collecting a total of 16.5 kilograms of waste along the coastline.

A highlight of the celebration was the formal signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the CY 2026 Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) Livelihood Project, in which three (3) Community-Based Forest Management-CARP People’s Organizations (POs) were awarded agroforestry and livelihood projects under the beneficiary development program.

Moreover, in the afternoon a Handog Titulo program was conducted where 12 land patents were awarded to patentees within the municipality of San Joaquin, securing their legal land ownership.

Ready for a mini-challenge? 🌊

In celebration of Month of the Ocean 2026 and our theme "Sustaining Ocean Health, Sailing Resilient Nation," it’s time for a Diff Check!

Dive deep into these two underwater scenes and see if you can spot the 5 differences!

To join: Find all 5 differences. Take a screenshot of your answers. Post your screenshot in the comments section below! 👇

We will be posting the answer key on May 28—so get those eagle eyes ready!

|| DENR 6, Leganes LGU, and Youth Clean Up LIKE for Month of the Ocean 2026

In celebration of the Month of the Ocean 2026, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region 6 mobilized environmental advocates, local government personnel, and youth volunteers for a collaborative coastal clean-up at the Leganes Integrated Katunggan Ecopark (LIKE) earlier today, May 21, 2026.

The clean-up drew active participation from DENR 6 units, including the Conservation and Development Division (CDD) headed by Chief Gloria M. Flores, the Regional Strategic Communication and Initiative Group (RSCIG) headed by Chief Artemio Salvador C. Colacion, and technical staffs from PENRO Iloilo and CENRO Guimbal, working side-by-side with representatives from the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Leganes and local youth organizations.

Volunteers gathered and categorized a total of 39 kilograms of marine debris, filling 6 sacks of waste, revealing that single-use consumer items remain the primary threat to the coastal habitat.

The top items recovered during the intensive cleanup included:

🔴Plastic beverage bottles – 65 pieces
🔴Miscellaneous waste (metal, paper, etc.) – 40 pieces
🔴Discarded footwear – 39 pieces
🔴Plastic grocery bags – 32 pieces
🔴Plastic and foam fragments – 29 pieces

The Leganes Integrated Katunggan Ecopark serves as a vital ecological armor for the municipality, offering essential coastal protection against storm surges while serving as a nursery ground for various marine species. By clearing these non-biodegradable pollutants, the activity directly enhances the ecological integrity and resilience of the mangrove forest.

The DENR Region 6 continues to call on the public to practice sustainable solid waste management at home, emphasizing that coastal protection requires a consistent, year-round commitment from every citizen to secure a healthier, more resilient marine future.

| DENR INSPECT AFOCO PROJECT AT THE MAASIN WATERSHED

To evaluate the on-going development initiatives under the Asian Forest Cooperation Organization (AFoCo) Project, a field visit was successfully conducted at the Maasin Watershed in Maasin, Iloilo, today, May 20, 2026.

The monitoring team was led by Assistant Secretary for Foreign-Assisted and Special Projects, Field Operations-Visayas Hiro V. Masuda, along with Forest Management Bureau (FMB), from the Foreign-Assisted and Special Projects Service (FASPS) led by Director Al Orolfo, DENR Region VI headed by RED Raul L. Lorilla, PENRO Iloilo led by PENRO Salvador C. Manglinong and CENRO Guimbal.

The significant field activity was warmly graced by Maasin Municipal Mayor Francis A. Amboy, highlighting the seamless collaboration between national environmental leaders and the local government unit.

Managed under the oversight of FASPS, the AFoCo Project in Maasin focuses on a dual-purpose strategy: driving sustainable ecotourism development while securing the strict preservation of the watershed. Crucially, the project serves to maintain both environmental integrity and the long-term, sustainable livelihoods of the Katilingban sang Pumuluyo nga Naga-atipan sa Watershed sang Maasin (KAPAWA), Inc., the partner in forest protection.

| DAY 3 OF FMP POST-PROJECT VALIDATION IN BRGYS. GARANGAN AND MASAROY, CALINOG

The joint monitoring activity reached its third consecutive day with a field validation of the Forestland Management Project (FMP) subprojects in the upland barangays of Garangan and Masaroy in Calinog, Iloilo.

Demonstrating the high-level significance of this evaluation, the team was joined on the ground by JICA Chief Representative Baba Takashi, Aoki Nobuhiko, and Juan Miguel Reboton, alongside Calinog Municipal Mayor Francisco "Ico" Calvo who personally accompanied the delegation to inspect the Agroforestry Support Facilities (ASF).

Together with representatives from the DENR Central Office led by Assistant Secretary Hiro Masuda, Forest Management Bureau (FMB), Foreign-Assisted and Special Projects Service (FASPS) led by Dir. Al Orolfo, DENR Region VI led by Regional Executive Director Raul L. Lorilla, PENRO Iloilo Salvador Manglinong, Jr., the team assessed the long-term functionality and sustainability of the infrastructure turned over to the partner People's Organizations (POs) within the Jalaur River Basin.

These multi-million peso subprojects—including vital access pathways, hanging bridges, and conservation interventions—remain critical in securing the watershed while providing a durable lifeline for upland farmers.

Furthermore, the team also conducted a small group discussion together with the POs from the Municipality of Lambunao, Iloilo. It is also attended by SB Member and Committee Chair for Environment Hon. Stephen Mandadero.

This successful Day 3 validation highlights the enduring partnership between the Government of Japan, through JICA, national environmental agencies, and the local government unit in fostering climate-resilient and economically empowered communities.

| Sustaining Progress in the Uplands of Janiuay

Today, May 19, 2026, marks the second day of the post-project field validation for Agroforestry Support Facilities (ASF) and value-chain mechanisms turned over under the 10-year Forestland Management Project (FMP).

Representatives from Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) represented by Mr. Juan Miguel Reboton, DENR-Foreign-Assisted and Special Projects Service (FASPS) led by Director Al Orolfo, DENR Region 6 headed by Regional
Executive Director Raul L. Lorilla, Forest Management Bureau (FMB), PENRO Iloilo headed by PENRO Salvador C. Manglinong, Jr. and CENRO Barotac Nuevo personnel were warmly welcomed by the Local Government Unit of Janiuay, led by Municipal Mayor Paulino M. Parian, emphasizing the strong partnership between national agencies, international stakeholders, and local chief executives.

From traversing the Quipot-Barasalon concrete pathways to reviewing the irrigation systems and the Panuran Agro-forestry Value Chain Facility, the joint team witnessed firsthand how these FMP investments continue to secure the Jalaur River Basin while boosting local agroforestry enterprises.