It’s a new normal, but the same planet – DENR 6

The world now is experiencing a lot of new things –specifically the new normal, with face masks and face shields, with social distancing and no mass gathering, and with the use of alcohol and temperature check everywhere, but the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Region 6 is reminding the public that we all have the same and the only planet to take care of.

During the celebration of Environment Month 2021 with the theme: Sama–samang Pagkilos, Sama-samang Paghilom: Ikaw, Ako, Tayo ang Kalikasan, the DENR 6 launched activities either in a hybrid setting while observing the minimum health protocols, or done purely virtual thereby continuing to spread awareness on the urgent need for environmental protection despite the pandemic.

On June 10, the DENR Region 6 officialls and employees celebrated its 34^th DENR Anniversary cum Family Day with the theme: Celebrating A Greener and Safer Environment. Seven personnel from Aklan (3) and Negros (4) were promoted on this day through a virtual oathtaking officiated by the new Regional Executive Director Livino B. Duran.

June 25 is the annual observance of Arbor Day celebration, with the team from DENR 6’s Conservation and Development Division (CDD) who led the launching of the Community Pan-TREE and distributed more than 200 fruit tree seedlings among market goers in Sta. Barbara municipal market.

The Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) 6, also on June 25, 2021, has conducted the virtual Kantalikasan on its second year. It aims to encourage more people to care for the environment, and to promote awareness and change through music. Fourteen (14) entries are original compositions with their content focused on environmental protection, conservation and preservation using various music genres such as ballad, pop, classical and jazz. They all vied for the top 3 spot and were judged according to lyrics/impact of the message (40 percent), voice quality (30 percent), musicality (15 percent) and originality (15 percent).

On June 28, the Regional Strategic Communication and Initiatives Group (RSCIG) led the conduct of the virtual On-The-Spot Essay Writing Contest among DENR employees. Top three winners are the two participants from PENRO Guimaras, who bagged the Champion and 2^nd Place awards, and one from PENRO Antique as 1^st Place. Then on June 30, the Administrative Division spearheaded the hybrid Culmination activity dubbed as Pasidungog 2021 and various citations were given out to employees, namely: Service Award, Posthumous Award, and Recognition to Career and Self Development. Winners of the virtual On-The-Spot Essay Writing Contest were also awarded during the culmination activity.

“We may have been limited with what we have done in celebration of the Environment Month 2021 nonetheless, we continue to deliver our mandates and we continue to support our people in the organization by boosting their morale and confidence to continue doing their best in the name of public service,” said the new DENR 6 Regional Executive Director Livino B. Duran.

This year’s theme emphasizes the need for unity, the need to work together and heal as one people caring for our only home – this planet Earth. After all, each one of us is part of nature.

“With this campaign, may we remember that we are the protector and we need to conserve this Earth for the future generation. It is not just the DENR’s responsibility but our individual responsibility, because “Tayo ang Kalikasan,” RED Duran added.

The observance of Philippine Environment Month was mandated by virtue of Presidential Proclamation No. 237, signed in 1988. (DENR-6)