𝐃𝐄𝐍𝐑-𝟏𝟐 𝐂𝐄𝐍𝐑𝐎 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐦 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐧𝐨𝐧-𝐨𝐛𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐥 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐱𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐅𝐏𝐈𝐂

 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐦, 𝐂𝐎𝐓𝐀𝐁𝐀𝐓𝐎 - The Community and Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) of Matalam facilitated the signing of the resolution for non-objection and approval with consent in the exercise of Free and Prior Informed Consent (FPIC) process and to execute the agreement in support of the establishment of Mt. Sinaka Critical Habitat for the Philippine Eagle and other threatened wildlife species, recently.

Under Sections 4 and 25 of Republic Act No. 9147, also known as the "Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act," and under DENR Memorandum Circular No. 2007-02, which outlines the guidelines for the establishment and management of critical habitat under the jurisdiction of the DENR, the following guidelines are hereby promulgated.

On October 4, 2024, the Tinonanon Council of Elders Ancestral Domain Management Office, Inc. (TICADMO) of the Municipality of Arakan signed the resolution at 3A Brothers Café, Greenfield, Arakan, Cotabato. Additionally, on October 16, 2024, the Obu-Manuvu Unified Ancestral Domain Tribal Council of Elders/ Leaders (OMUADTCELI) signed the resolution at Purok Ladi-an, Marilog District, Davao City.

Mount Sinaka holds significant cultural and historical importance for the IP Communities. encompassing the mountain and its adjacent areas within their ancestral domain. It plays a pivotal role in preserving their cultural traditions, spiritual beliefs, and sustenance. The local communities rely on its resources for sustenance, including food, water, and traditional medicine.

Additionally, on October 14, 2024, the Sangguniang Bayan of Arakan passed Resolution No. 24-11-539 titled "A Resolution Declaring Mt. Sinaka as Critical Habitat for the Philippine Eagle and Other Flora and Fauna" at the David B. Figura, Sr. Session Hall.

Mount Sinaka is the sanctuary of endangered species, notably the critically endangered Philippine eagle, and represents one of the final frontiers of Arakan. The remaining forest cover, comprising approximately 1,000 hectares, serves as a vital source of potable water for the inhabitants of Arakan and Davao.

As the Philippine Eagle and other wildlife species depend on Mount Sinaka for their habitat, there is a chance to empower and involve the local community in the conservation efforts. This engagement can take the form of collaborative endeavors with the Department and local government organizations, which will promote a sense of shared accountability and care for the preservation of the area's threatened species. Furthermore, the declaration of Mount Sinaka as a critical habitat offers an opportunity to allocate sufficient funding and resources for ongoing development and conservation initiatives. Such funding is necessary for carrying out research, putting conservation plans into action, and creating sustainable practices that are essential to the survival of endangered species in the area.

𝐃𝐄𝐍𝐑- 𝟏𝟐 𝐂𝐄𝐍𝐑𝐎 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐦 𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐇𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐨𝐠 𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐥𝐨 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦

 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐦, 𝐂𝐨𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐚𝐭𝐨 - The Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) of Matalam awarded a special patent of a barangay site located at Pulang Lupa, M’lang, Cotabato through its Handog Titulo Program on October 17, 2024.

The said barangay site is located at Barangay Pulang Lupa, Mlang, Cotabato, which has been granted a Special Patent No. SP-LGU-NCO-0115 with an area of 1,691 square meters. The request of the Local Government Unit of Mlang-Pulang Lupe Multipurpose Site over a parcel of alienable and disposable land has all the necessary prerequisites as mandated bv R.A 10032 for the grant of a Local Government Unit Special Patent.

Application for a Special Patent can be processed and approved at the nearest DENR office. Moreover, any public land occupied and used for public schools, municipal halls, public plazas or parks, and other government institutions for public use or purpose may be issued special patents.

Section 4 (Special Patents) and Section 7 (Implementing Rules and Regulations) of Republic Act No. 10023, stipulated that public use or public purposes on the utilization of parcels of land exclusively by the government or any of its instrumentalities in providing services to the general public, such as, but not limited to, market places; town, city, provincial or barangay halls; hospitals, clinics, and health centers; police stations, outposts, jails, and the like.

The primary goal of the mentioned barangay benefited both the department and the community. It promotes collaboration with local governments and stakeholders in contributing to sustainable development.

𝐃𝐄𝐍𝐑 𝟏𝟐 𝐏𝐄𝐍𝐑𝐎 𝐂𝐨𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐚𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝐚 𝐒𝐢𝐦𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐞𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐈𝐄𝐂 𝐭𝐨 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐂𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐄𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐄𝐚𝐠𝐥𝐞

 𝐃𝐄𝐍𝐑 𝟏𝟐 𝐏𝐄𝐍𝐑𝐎 𝐂𝐨𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐚𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝐚 𝐒𝐢𝐦𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐞𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐈𝐄𝐂 𝐭𝐨 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐂𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐄𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐄𝐚𝐠𝐥𝐞

𝐌𝐚𝐠𝐩𝐞𝐭, 𝐂𝐨𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐚𝐭𝐨 - The DENR-12 Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) of Cotabato, in collaboration with the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) Matalam and the Mt. Apo Natural Park-Protected Area Management Office (MANP-PAMO) conducted simultaneous Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) drives across three barangays on October 20, 2024, to safeguard the critically endangered Philippine Eagle (Pithecophaga 𝘫𝘦𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘪).

The Eagles were recently sighted in the forests of Magpet under the barangays of —Sallab, Imamaling, and Bangkal—which are known to be part of the eagles’ habitat range. A total of 398 individuals, including barangay officials and community members, participated in the educational campaign, which aimed to raise awareness of the importance of protecting and conserving the Philippine Eagle.

The sessions covered critical topics, including the eagles’ conservation status, their role in maintaining ecological balance, and the legal framework surrounding wildlife protection, specifically Republic Act 9147 or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act.

Participants were particularly informed about the illegal acts and penalties related to wildlife harm, such as poaching and habitat destruction, underscoring the critical need for community cooperation in preserving the Philippine Eagle’s habitat. To enhance understanding and engagement, IEC materials were distributed to the participants, while signages were installed in key locations across the three barangays to warn the public of potential legal consequences for violating wildlife protection laws.

The activity was part of a broader initiative between PENRO Cotabato, CENRO Matalam, and LGU Magpet to establish Local Conservation Areas (LCAs) across several barangays in the municipality. The conservation initiative aims to create a safe environment where the Philippine Eagle can thrive and ensure the long-term protection of the species.