P.A. Talk: an engaging convo on Philippine biodiversity

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) continues to celebrate the 2^nd anniversary of the passage of the Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System (ENIPAS) Act of 2018 through an online conference for the legislated protected areas called P.A. Talk.

P.A. Talk is organized by the Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB) in partnership with the office of Antique Rep. Lorna Regina “Loren” B. Legarda.

The online conference called P.A. Talk through Zoom video conference platform adopted the theme: “Protected Areas for a Protected Future” and is aired live via Legarda’s Facebook page.

On July 28, 2020, the Sibalom Natural Park (SNP) will be featured in P.A. Talk’s second episode and here are some interesting facts about SNP:

1. SNP is a green, lustrous forest with blue rogue rivers that is home to different endemic and endangered species. It is previously called Tipulu-an Mau-it Watershed Forest Reserve.
2. It has a coverage area of 6,778.44 hectares as per Republic Act 11038, located at the municipality of Sibalom, Antique. It covers 17 barangays – Cabladan, Cabanbanan, Imparayan, Igpanulong, Indag-an, Bugnay, Villafont, Luna, Bontol, Tordesillas, Tula-tula, Calooy, Bulalacao, Lambayagan, Luyang, Igparas and Grasparil.
3. The natural park is managed by the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) wherein the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Regional Director in Region 6 sits as the PAMB chairperson.
4. It is a low elevation dipterocarp forest and a habitat to different endemic birds, amphibians, reptiles and mammals. A haven of rich flora and fauna endemic to Panay Islands and the Philippines.
5. The waterfalls, streams and springs that flow to its rivers supports the irrigation, domestic and industrial water needs of the municipalities and nearby towns. The rivers are also sources of semi-precious gemstones found on its riverbeds.

DENR Region 6 invites the public to join P.A. Talk by watching the live online video at 10 am Tuesday.

The P.A. Talk 2^nd episode will discuss the best practices in engaging local communities in the management of biodiversity and sustaining ecosystem services. This interesting and pleasurable biodiversity discussion could enrich our awareness on the environment to protect and conserve it.

“Sibalom Natural Park has rich ecosystems that serve as biodiversity corridor to species in the Panay Mountains. The PA talk shall further discuss the bountiful biodiversity our country’s protected areas. We are the steward of the environment and in our hands lay the protection and conservation of our natural resources for a sustainable future. Let’s watch the upcoming episodes as we highlight the human dimensions with their diverse roles, culture and practices in the management of the Pas,” DENR regional executive director Francisco E. Milla Jr. said.

P.A. Talk aired its maiden episode last month on June 22, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. and will run for 18 months.

It features the 107 legislated protected areas and their provided ecosystem services. It is hosted by Deputy House Speaker Loren Legarda, featuring six PAs in each episode with the respective Regional Executive Directors (REDs), Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officers (PENROs), Community Environment and Natural Resources Officers (CENROs) and Protected Areas Superintendents (PASus) as resource persons. (DENR-6)