ERDB NewsletterVol. 4 No. 1 January - March 2010

DENR

Director’s Engagements

Ü Next page

INSIDE: n 2 DENR Charcoal Briquetting Team turns over equipment to LGUs in Pampanga n 2 ERDB researchers assess rattan and bamboo plantations in Quezon Province and Pangasinan n 2 Women’s Month activities made known n 3 ERDB Women’s Month Celebration n 5 UPLBCFNR celebrates Centennial Year n 5 2 Phds in Environmental Science lead 1st MTSS 2010 n 6 2 seminars scheduled in March for DENR Green Ambassadors n 6 Biosafety lectures conducted

January 201015 - Turnover ceremony for the Director of ERDB

February 201024 - Climate Change Adaptation, Mandarin Suites9 - 2nd Regular Staff Bureau Meeting, FMB10 - PCARRD Governing Council Meeting, DOST15-17 - Forestry Assessment and Planning Workshop, Clark, Pampanga22-24 - Budget Reprogramming, Clark, Pampanga25-27 - Institute for Global and Environmental Strategies, Hayama, Kanagawa, Japan

March 201013-16 - Asia-PacificCooperation,Jeju,Korea17-20 - Asia-PacificNetwork,Busan,Korea

ERDB Women’sMonth Celebrationphotos and captions on page 3 & 4

Director Marcial C. Amaro, Jr. assumed responsibility as the ERDB Director on January 15, 2010. The

turnover ceremony was held at the ERDB Auditorium to mark his assumption of office, while Dr. Adeluisa G. Siapno was assigned to the Internal Audit Service of the DENR.

ERDB Assistant Director Levi V. Florido delivered the welcome remarks, while DENR USEC Manuel D. Gerochi conveyed the message for the occasion. The program was also a brief tribute to Dir. Siapno for her accomplishments and contributions to the ERDB during her one-year term. Director Amaro delivered his first talk to the ERDB employees in his second tour of duty at ERDB.

An award of recognition was also given to Dr. Adeluisa

Amaro returns as ERDB Director

ERDB Director Marcial C. Amaro, Jr. receiving the ERDB banner and symbolic key of the ERDB office from outgoing ERDB OIC Director Dr. Adeluisa G. Siapno during the turnover ceremony on Jan. 15, 2010 at the ERDB Auditorium.

G. Siapno for the innovations in ENR research administration, management and collaboration.

Likewise, the symbolic turnover of the office was held with the handing over of the ERDB banner and key of the office. The emcees of the program were Mr. Eliseo Baltazar and Dr. Leuvina M. Tandug. Marla V. Cambay, TDD

African diplomat visits ERDB’s bamboo and rattan plantationsAn African diplomat, Mr. Juteau D. Tousse of

Cameroon, Africa visited ERDB’s bamboo and rattan projects on March 5-9, 2010. Accompanied by Dr. Aida B. Lapis, ITTO’s (International Tropical Timber Organization)project manager and ERDB’s bamboo and rattan project coordinator, Mr. Tousse visited Magalang, Pampanga where he observed the establishment of ornamental bamboo nursery being implemented with farmers’ participation. Mr. Tousse noted that as ornamentals, bamboo could be another source of livelihood which he could bring to his country. Mr. Tousse also visited the bambusetum of Pampanga Agricultural College.

In the bambusetum, Mr. Tousse was able to see a variety

Mr. Juteau D. Tousse of Cameroon, Africa (left corner) together with Dr. Aida B. Lapis (center), Mr. Paulino Umali (right corner) during their visit to the Bambusetum in Pampanga Agricultural College.

2

ERDB News

Vol. 4 No. 1

Ü page 6

Ü page 6

African diplomat visits ... from page 1

of grown-up and erect bamboos and the propagation technique practiced in the area like community planting and marcotting.

Mr. Tousse also visited Angeles City’s AWECA Rattans, an acronym of three manufacturing companies: Asia-Rattan Manufacturing Co., Inc., Weaverscraft, Inc., and California Manufacturing Phils. Inc. On the rattan-based products presented, Mr. Tousse was so impressed with the rattan products that he is looking forward to a possibility of a trade agreement in the future.

The visit to SMX, Mall of Asia 2010 International Furniture Show where Philippine products were shown broadened the insights of Mr. Tousse in terms of future trade industry cooperation with the Philippines.

Mr. Tousse also visited the following: Rattan Genebank of the Los Baños Research Experiment Station of ERDB, Forest Products Research and Development Institute, edible rattan shoot trial planting in Bay, Laguna, Rice World at the International Rice Research Institute, Carolina Bambusetum and Bamboo Nursery in Antipolo, Rizal and the Union Square in Tomas Morato, Manila. Aida B. Lapis, GDAERD

DENR Secretary, Charcoal Briquetting Team turn over equipment to LGUs in Pampanga

The DENR-ERDB’s Charcoal Briquetting Team under the leadership of Engr. Santiago R. Baconguis

of the ERDB turned over the charcoal briquetting equipment to the seven (7) Local Government Units (LGUs) of Pampanga on Jan. 29-30, 2010. The turnover ceremony was led by DENR Secretary Eleazar Quinto and was held at the Lubao Municipal Recovery Facility in Brgy. Sta. Catalina, Lubao, Pampanga was led by DENR Secretary Eleazar Quinto.

DENR SEC. Quinto (left corner) during the interview with ABS-CBN news anchor. Engr. Baconguis (center) looks on.

Women’s Month activities made known

ERDB’s Gender and Development focal person, Ms. Monette Santos announced the seminars

conducted for the Women’s Month celebration in March 2010. The first seminar on March 8, 2010 was on “Success Stories of Women’s Achievement in the Field of Academics, Entrepreneurship, Governance and Politics”. Guest speakers include Ms. Ellen T. Reyes, Councilor of San Pablo City and Executive Director, of San Pablo City Women, Family and OFW Center and Dr. Cecilia N. Gascon, President of Southern Tagalog State University in Quezon.

Likewise, a livelihood seminar series on Demo Cooking were scheduled on the following topics: Special Pasta, Oatmeal Choco Bar, Chicken Macaroni, Cathedral Dessert and Dinuguan Making. The series of seminars were scheduled on March 11, 18 and 25, 2010, respectively.

ERDB researchers assess rattan and bamboo plantations in Quezon Province and Pangasinan

ERDB researchers, Paulino Umali and Lucas Gonzales worked on the assessment of the

possibility of establishing bamboo plantations in Aurora

The turnover ceremony was aired over ABS-CBN’s Umagang Kay Ganda, PTV 4’s Teleradyo and documented in Manila Bulletin and Philippine Daily Inquirer. DENR Secretary Eleazar Quinto and Engr. Baconguis were also interviewed by the ABS-CBN news anchor regarding the charcoal briquetting technology.

Province particularly in Casiguran and Baler, Aurora on Feb. 22-26, 2010. They teamed up with the working group requested by the Office of Senator Angara to do the job.

The other team members were Mr. Lance Ledesma, staff of Senator Angara and some representatives from the Forest Products Research and Development Institute (FPRDI). They were able to identify and locate possible plantation sites for bamboo and rattan within the area. In Casiguran, Aurora, they were able to locate

3

ERDB News

Vol. 4 No. 1

ERDB Women’s Month Celebration

Kick-off Activity of Women’s Month, NBC Tent, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City, March 1, 2010.

Guests during the ERDB Women’s Month Kick-off Program: (From left) Miss Cristy Paulino of DENR, Calamba Councilor Ms. Ruth Hernandez with Director Marcial C. Amaro, Jr. and Asst. Director Levi Florido.

Calamba Councilor Ruth Hernandez cutting the ribbon for the opening of the “Tianggehan sa ERDB”.

Stalls at the “Tianggehan sa ERDB”

Seminar on Health and Wellness, March 4, 2010, ERDB Auditorium.

Seminar on “Chronic Inflammation and Inflammatory Response: How can this be prevented?”

A Walk for Women’s Achievements

and Rights, UPLB College of Forestry

campus.

4

ERDB News

Vol. 4 No. 1

more photos...

Culinary Treatment for an Eco-Friendly Home by Ms. Chit Martin.

Seminar on Success Stories of Women’s Achievement in the Field of Governance, Academe and Politics by Ms. Ellen T. Reyes (top photo), Councilor of San Pablo City, running candidate for Vice Governor of Laguna, and Executive Director of San Pablo City Women, Family and OFW Center and Dr. Cecilia Gascon (bottom photo), President of Southern Luzon State University in Quezon receiving the plaque of appreciation from Ms. Monette Santos, ERDB-GAD Focal Person on March 8, 2010 at the ERDB Auditorium.

A Series of Livelihood Seminars on Demo Cooking, March 11, 18 and 25, 2010, ERDB Auditorium. Ms. Rosalinda Reaviles (left photo) demonstrating the cooking of broken glass cathedral and Ms. Monette Santos (right photo) on her own recipe of chicken macaroni salad.

Young Women’s Perspective on Environment: An Art Contest for High School Students, March 12, 2010, ERDB Auditorium.

5

ERDB News

Vol. 4 No. 1

Uncovering ERDB Zoo Lab

Dr. Ma. Lourdes Q. Moreno, (leftmost corner) in-charge of the ERDB Zoology Laboratory explaining the importance of the laboratory.

Phytoremediation ... from page 1

UPLBCFNR celebrates Centennial Year

The University of the Philippines at Los Baños College of Forestry and Natural Resources

(UPLBCFNR) will be celebrating its Centennial Year this April 2010. The grand centennial celebration had its kick off ceremony last January 25, 2010 with the theme “Syento Porsyentong Kasiyahang CFNR, 100 Years Na at Patuloy Pang Maglilingkod sa Bayan at Kalikasan.”

The main event during the kick-off ceremony was the Salubungan or Sunduan at four o’clock in the afternoon wherein several offices headed by the College of Forestry and Natural Resources celebrated the event with a grand parade around the UPCF quadrangle. Aside from the officials, staff and students of the UPLBCFNR, other participating entities include the ASEAN Center for Biodiversity Conservation (ARCBC), Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau (ERDB), Forest Products Research and Development Institute (FPRDI), Forest Management Bureau (FMB), DENR Region IV-A, National Power Corporation (NAPOCOR), Philippine Wood Products Association (PWPA), San Roque Dam, Society of Filipino Foresters’ Inc., Local Government Units (LGUs) of Barangay Batong Malake, Los Baños, Laguna and many more.

After the parade, a program followed with messages from

UPCF Dean Rex Victor Cruz, UPLB Chancellor Luis Rey I. Velasco and CFNR Alumni Association President Atty. Roberto Oliva. The centennial celebration comprises of a week-long program of activities which will start on April 18-24, 2010 to coincide with the UPLBCFNR Centennial Foundation and Alumni Homecoming. The schedule of activities for the year were also announced. These include Centennial Trade Fair, unveiling of the Centennial Marker and the new CFNR logo, Foundation Day Convocation, Centennial forum, awarding of outstanding alumni, CFNRAA raffle bonanza draw, and student organizations’ day. Aside from the lined up activities, an International Conference on Forestry Research and Education in the Asia Pacific Region will also be conducted. Several contests for this year were also launched. The contests include “Indakan sa Gubat” (Street dancing competition), nationwide painting, essay writing and poetry competition, centennial photo shoot, and sportsfest.

In the evening, the concluding activities of the kick-off program were the lighting of the CFNR Lucent Panel with 100 torch bearers and the release of 100 centennial balloons while singing the CFNR hymn. Marita W. Briz, GDAERD

2 Phds in Environmental Science lead 1st MTSS 2010

Two (2) ERDB researchers who finished their doctorate degrees in Environmental Science

at UP Los Baños served as resource persons in the ERDB’s 1st MTSS (Monthly Technical Seminar Series) for 2010 which was held on Feb. 24 at the ERDB Auditorium. They were Dr. Simplicia Pasicolan, of the CZFERD (Coastal Zone and Freshwater Ecosystem Research Division) and Dr. Marilyn Landicho of the UFERD (Upland Farms Ecosystem Research Division).

Dr. Simplicia Pasicolan’s topic was “Biodiversity Conservation in the Philippines”. She started her lecture with an Introduction on Biodiversity. She also discussed the Uses of Biodiversity on food, medicine, fuel, timber, fiber and other resources; air and water purification, climate modification, drought and flood control, economic value and inspiration and cultural heritage. She likewise talked on the Threats to Biodiversity such as biodiversity loss, mining, unsustainable hunting, siltation/sedimentation and conservation measure. Various International Agreements were also mentioned to address problems or issues. She also enumerated the different

government initiatives on Biodiversity Conservation.

On the other hand, Dr. Marilyn Landicho presented her thesis dissertation titled “Ecological Analysis of the Lanao Forest Reserve an Ecotourism Site in Limay, Bataan, Philippines”. She began her lecture with an Introduction and the benchmark information on the project site. She also explained the objectives of her thesis as follows: 1) Conduct vegetative faunal characterization; 2) Determine the acceptability of key leaders; and 3) Formulate recommendations for Limay, Bataan as an ecotourism site. She also presented the instruments used for data analysis which include Shannon’s index of diversity and evenness; Simpson’s index of dominance and Diversity spatial scale. For the social aspect, she used the FGD (Focus Group Discussion) where only the key leaders were interviewed. For the methodology, Dr. Landicho used the GIS (Geographical Information System). Based on the results of her study, Dr. Landicho identified the areas for conservation and development. Marla V. Cambay, TDD

6

ERDB News

Vol. 4 No. 1

Contributions from all employees are welcome as per guidelines set in ERDB Memo. dated Aug. 31, 2007. This Newsletter is produced quarterly in coordination with all Offices, Divisions and Units of the ERDB.

Executive Adviser : Marcial C. Amaro, Jr.

Editorial Adviser : Eliseo M. Baltazar

Managing Editor : Marla V. Cambay

Assistant Editor : Carmelita G. Reyes

Layout : Liberato A. Bacod

Proofreading/ : Flora B. PalicpicCirculation Eduardo M. Tolentino

Printing : Celso A. Luna

Photography : Gino S. Laforteza

ERDB NewsletterJanuary - March 2010

DENR

Vol. 4 No. 1

ERDB researchers ... from page 2

ERDB-GAD Focal Person ... from page 2

100 hectares for rattan plantation. They also identified the streambanks to be planted with bamboo covering 50 hectares. In Baler, Aurora, a 50 - hectare area was tentatively identified but will be subjected to soil analysis prior to plantation establishment.

In Alaminos, Pangasinan, the ERDB team composed of For. Paulino Umali, Mr. Lucas Gonzales and Ms. Cristina Roxas, attended the meeting “Bamboo Industry Development Program: Mainstreaming Engineered-Bamboo Products in the Philippine Raw Materials Market for Construction and Furniture” on March 4-5, 2010. They visited the Bayanihan Center wherein bamboo desks, chairs, pencil holders and other souvenir items are being manufactured. They also had a dialogue with City Mayor Hernani Braganza and discussed possible collaboration on bamboo production in the future. Marla

An art contest for high school students was also held on March 12, 2009 at the ERDB Auditorium. Student representatives from the different schools in Los Baños were invited to join the contest. This year’s team is “Babae, Tagumpay Ka ng Bayan”. Marla V. Cambay/TDD

2 seminars scheduled in March for DENR Green Ambassadors

The Coastal Zone and Freshwater Ecosytems Research Division (CZFERD) is conducting two

seminars for March and April 2010. According to Dr. Honorato Palis, Chief of the Mangrove and Estuarine Section of CZFERD, the seminar-training activities are in line with the Green Ambassadors Program of the DENR. Topics will deal with Biosafety and Climate Change. For the Biosafety seminar, Ms. Veronica Sinohin and Dr. Carmelita Villamor will discuss the topics “National Biosafety Framework” and “Ecosystems Approach in the Assessment of Impacts of Herbicide Tolerant on Wild Biodiversity in Corn Production Systems in Selected Areas in Luzon, Philippines”, respectively. Marla V. Cambay, TDD

Ms. Veronica O. Sinohin, Supervising Science Research Specialist of the Technology Development

Division and Dr. Carmelita I. Villamor Supervising Science Research Specialist of the Coastal Zone and Freshwater Ecosystems Research Division (CZFERD) presented lectures during the 2nd Monthly Technical Seminar Series (MTSS) on March 30, 2010 at the ERDB Auditorium. The seminar was in line with the celebration of the 2010 International Year of Biodiversity.

Ms. Sinohin’s presentation was titled “National Biosafety Framework” She started her lecture with the Organizational Structure of E.O. 514 Establishing the National Biosafety Framework and the Series of Guidelines on Philippine Biosafety. Likewise, she explained the meaning and elements of the National Biosafety Framework. She also discussed the Background of the Convention on Biological Diversity including the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety. She further focused on the question “Why do we regulate modern biotechnology?”. On the other hand, Dr. Carmelita Villamor rendered a presentation on “Ecosystems Approach in the Assessment of the Impacts of Herbicide-tolerant (Ht) Corn on Wild Biodiversity in Corn Production Systems in Luzon, Philippines” funded by the USAID thru Program for Biosafety System-Biotechnology Biodiversity Interface (PBS-BBI). She defined the relevance of the study to the DENR and the project objectives. She likewise presented the methodology and results of two projects which are the Corn-corn Production System in Camarines Sur and Rice-Corn Production System in Pampanga. Three (3) parameters were assessed including the species richness, species diversity and species similarity.

Biosafety lectures conducted

Based on the results, Dr. Villamor identified the following recommendations to enhance biotechnology: a) formulation/harmonization of an environmental rich/impact assessment protocols following holistic approaches; b) baseline survey of local biodiversity prior to release and/or introduction of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) and other potentially harmful exotic species; and c) post commercial monitoring and EIA of the release and introduction of GMOs. Marla V. Cambay, TDD