VIRAC (PIA)- Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) spearheaded various activities in connection with the celebration of 2021 Environment Month last month.

Pursuant to Proclamation No. 237 signed in 1988, June is declared as the Philippine Environment Month. This year's theme is: “Sama-Samang Pagkilos, Sama-Samang Paghilom. Ikaw, Ako, Tayo ang Kalikasan,” calls for a united movement in taking action to restore the Earth.

In line with this, twenty-nine(29) beneficiaries from the barangays of Palawig, Lictin, Timbaan, Carangag and Yocti in San Andres town received their Residential Land Titles under “The Handog Titulo” program which is among the priority programs of the present administration this morning, June 29, 2021 at Lictin Barangay Plaza.

Present during the ceremony were DENR- Catanduanes PENRO Imelda D. Baltazar and staff, Mayor Peter C. Cua of San Andres, Register of Deeds Atty. Lara Faye Surtida and barangay officials of Lictin. A Memorandum of Partnership between the LGU and DENR-PENRO on the implementation of RA 10023 otherwise known as the "Residential Free-Patent" was also conducted.

Also, DENR-PENRO reorganized the Catanduanes Provincial Anti-Illegal Logging Task Force composed of representatives from DILG, PNP, Philippine Army, PIA, Office of the Provincial Prosecutor (OPP) and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on June 28, 2021 at Queen Maricel Inn, Virac, Catanduanes.

During the activity, a pledge of commitment and support to curtail illegal logging in the province were signed by the members of the PAILTF. The meeting was presided by DENR PENRO Catanduanes OIC Imelda D. Baltazar.

On June 25, PENRO Catanduanes led by PENR Officer Imelda D. Baltazar celebrated the Philippine Arbor Day 2021 and 158th year of Philippine Forestry Service through a tree planting activity at Barangay Lictin, San Andres, Catanduanes.

Two hundred (200) Narra seedlings were planted in the area in collaboration with Lictin Barangay LGU, San Andres Municipal Police Station, Society of Filipino Forester, Inc-Catanduanes Chapter, PENRO Catanduanes personnel, and Youth Groups organized by San Andres MPS: LGBTQ and Kabataan Kontra Droga at Terorismo San Andres Chapter.

A coastal clean-up will mark the culmination of the celebration. (EAB-PIA5/Catanduanes)