DENR Ilocos Region

𝐃𝐄𝐍𝐑 𝟏 𝐤𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐬 𝐨𝐟𝐟 𝐄𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡 𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

Candon City, Ilocos Sur - With the rains starting to pour in Ilocos Region and with the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAG-ASA) officially declaring the onset of Southwest Monsoon or Habagat season, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) kicks-off the Environment Month Celebration with a tree growing activity in Lidlidda-Banayoyo Protected Landscape in Ilocos Sur.

Led by OIC 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐄𝐱𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐀𝐭𝐭𝐲. 𝐑𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐥 𝐂. 𝐒𝐨𝐩𝐬𝐨𝐩, together with 𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐭 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐲𝐨𝐲𝐨, 𝐋𝐢𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐝𝐝𝐚 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐜𝐨-𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐈𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝐒𝐮𝐫 𝐄𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐡𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐬 (𝐈𝐒𝐄𝐄), the participants planted a total of 𝟐𝟎𝟎 𝐬𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐯𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐨𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐲.

Joining the initiative were OIC, ARD for Management Services Mary Ann N. Escoto, OIC, ARD for Technical Services For. Raymond A. Rivera, EMB RD Engr. Nicanor C. Esteban, MGB RD Engr. Carlos A. Tayag including the PENR Officers, CENR Officers and the rest of the executive officials of DENR Region 1.

📢 𝐀𝐃𝐕𝐈𝐒𝐎𝐑𝐘 📢

Please be informed that the venue of the DENR Express: Permitting on Wheels on June 3, 2026 has been changed.

📍 From: Candon City Civic Center
📍 To: Ilocos Sur Polytechnic State College - Main Campus, Candon City, Ilocos Sur

All activities and services will proceed as scheduled.

𝑻𝒊𝒏𝒚 𝑻𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒌𝒔, 𝑩𝒊𝒈 𝑯𝒐𝒑𝒆: 𝑨 𝑪𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒚’𝒔 𝑱𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒏𝒆𝒚 𝒕𝒐 𝑺𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒂 𝑷𝒂𝒘𝒊𝒌𝒂𝒏 𝑵𝒆𝒔𝒕

What started as an ordinary morning walk along the shoreline of Brgy. Caterman in Candon City turned into a heartwarming story of community care and environmental stewardship. Mr. Ray G. Viloria noticed unusual tracks etched across the sand — a silent sign that a marine turtle had come ashore during the night to lay her eggs. Without hesitation, he alerted the President of the Fisherfolk’s Association, who immediately coordinated with the staff of CENRO-Tagudin. Soon after, residents, fisherfolk, and environmental workers came together to protect the precious nest from possible threats such as stray animals and curious beachgoers. Using simple bamboo poles and nets, they created a safe space for the future hatchlings while volunteers closely monitored the site throughout the incubation period.

Forty-five days later, tiny Olive Ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea) hatchlings finally emerged from the sand, bringing joy and excitement to everyone who helped watch over them. Fifteen hatchlings successfully crawled toward the sea and were safely released through the collective efforts of CENRO-Tagudin, the BLGU of Caterman, fisherfolk members, and dedicated pawikan parents.

Although only 15 out of 90 eggs hatched, the moment served as a meaningful reminder that every life saved matters. More than a nesting event, the experience became a symbol of how ordinary citizens, united by compassion and shared responsibility, can help protect the gentle creatures that call our oceans home. (𝑉𝐺𝑎𝑛𝑎𝑝𝑖𝑛,𝐹𝑇𝐼/𝐶𝐸𝑁𝑅𝑂 𝑇𝑎𝑔𝑢𝑑𝑖𝑛)

𝑾𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑻𝒊𝒅𝒆 𝑴𝒆𝒆𝒕𝒔 𝑻𝒐𝒎𝒐𝒓𝒓𝒐𝒘: 𝑨 𝑴𝒐𝒓𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑾𝒂𝒍𝒌 𝒕𝒐 𝑹𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒎𝒃𝒆𝒓

A spectacular sighting of a Marine Sea Turtle laying its eggs along the rich coastline of Barangay Caterman, Candon City was reported to the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office – Tagudin.

While taking a walk along the shoreline of Barangay Caterman, Candon City, Mr. Jose R. Viloria, President of the Barangay Caterman Fisherfolk’s Association, noticed a distinct marine sea turtle track on the beach — a rare and meaningful sign of wildlife activity along the coast. Realizing its importance, he immediately informed the association officers, who then coordinated with a staff member from CENRO Tagudin regarding the sighting. To protect the nest from curious locals, tourists, and stray animals such as dogs, the association president and members quickly secured the suspected nesting site by installing bamboo poles and nets around the area showcasing the community’s commitment to protecting marine biodiversity and conserving coastal ecosystems.

Throughout the incubation period, the nest was closely monitored by the Pawikan Parent, Mr. Viloria, together with the City ENRO and CENRO - Tagudin Staffs.

On the 49th day after the nest was first laid, the quiet shores of Barangay Caterman came alive with hope as marine sea turtle hatchlings began emerging from the sand. Witnessing the long-awaited moment, the community gathered in excitement as thirty (30) hatchlings successfully emerged and were safely released into the sea. The release activity was spearheaded by CENRO-Tagudin, together with the Barangay Local Government Unit (BLGU) of Caterman and the dedicated Pawikan Parent, symbolizing a shared commitment to protecting and conserving marine wildlife for future generations.

Five days after the first emergence of hatchlings, the nest in Barangay Caterman was carefully excavated to assess the outcome of the nesting activity. Beneath the sand, fifty (50) unhatched eggs were discovered, revealing both the fragile and challenging journey of marine sea turtles in the wild. Out of the total eighty (80) eggs laid, only thirty (30) hatchlings successfully emerged and made their way to the sea, resulting in a hatching success rate of 37.5 percent and a mortality rate of 62.5 percent. Despite the losses, the successful emergence of the hatchlings remained a meaningful milestone for the coastal community and conservation partners. Based on the distinct features observed from the hatchlings, the species was identified as the Olive Ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea), one of the marine turtle species known to nest along Philippine coastlines. (𝑉𝐺𝑎𝑛𝑎𝑝𝑖𝑛,𝐹𝑇𝐼/𝐶𝐸𝑁𝑅𝑂 𝑇𝑎𝑔𝑢𝑑𝑖𝑛)

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!

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!