DENR calls for monitoring of fire-hit Cebu watershed
By Hazel F. Gloria
CEBU CITY, April 18 (PIA) -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-7) has called for the continued monitoring of the 630-hectare Buhisan Watershed Forest Reserve in Toong, Cebu after a fire of yet an unknown cause hit the watershed Friday.
DENR-7 regional executive director Maximo O. Dichoso called for the cooperation of the community living near the tree plantations to help in monitoring the area, and help prevent forest.
On Friday, a team of foresters and guards and policemen responded to a fire alarm and conducted a site assessment after a staff of the Philippine Business for Social Progress alerted the DENR of the incident.
The team noted that based on the actual survey using a global positioning system (GPS), the fire engulfed around 800 square meters of the forest which is mostly filled with shrubs under the old Teak or Tectona grandis tree plantation.
The fire was put out after almost two hours.
Forester Ariel N. Rica of the Protected Areas, Wildlife, Conservation Zone and Management Services (PAWCZMS) said his office could not determine as of this writing if the fire was accidental or deliberately done by an arsonist as the investigation is still in progress.
Buhisan Watershed Forest Reserve (BWFR) is a component of the Central Cebu Protected Landscape (CCPL) under Republic Act No. 9486 which was approved on June 7, 2007 that covers a consolidated area of 28,312 hectares.
Each year, an average of 10 to 15 hectares of mostly shrubs is affected by forest fires within the Buhisan watershed area.
Aside from BWFR, also covered by the CCPL are the Mananga Watershed Forest Reserve, Sudlon National Park, Central Cebu National Park and the Kotkot-Lusaran Watershed Forest Reserve located in the cities of Cebu, Talisay, Toledo and Danao, and in the municipalities of Minglanilla, Consolacion, Liloan, Compostela, and Balamban.(RMN/HFG-PIA7)
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DOST-7 holds a 5-day seminar on Internet Protocol Version 6
By Hazel F. Gloria
CEBU CITY, April 18 (PIA) -- A training-workshop on Internet Protocol Version 6 (IPv6) will be held on April 23-27, 2-12 at the University of the Philippines Cebu College in Lahug, Cebu City.
The workshop, dubbed "IPv6 Unleashed: The 2nd Philippine IPv6 Conference and Training Workshop" aims to gather IPv6 experts, technical users, policy-makers and decision-makers in the country together with their international counterparts.
Expected speakers for said event are IPv6 experts from Malaysia, Japan, China, and other South East Asian countries.
The event serves to kick-off the "IPv6 Launch 2012" on June 6, 2012 at the Information and Communication Technology Office (ICTO) of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) here, to mark this year's World IPv6 Day celebration.
Topics during the workshop will focus on IPv6 lessons learned in China and Japan, best practices on the use of the technology, status of IPv6 in the Asia Pacific, and suggested actions for the IPv4 and IPv6 users, among others.
It also aims to create a sustainable group of experts in the country for future activities such as communities of practice and other common endeavors.
The workshop is conducted by DOST-Advanced Science and Technology Institute (DOST-ASTI) in cooperation with DOST-Regional Office VII, DOST-Information and Communication Technology Office (ICTO), the National Computer Center (NCC), and Central Visayas Information Sharing Network (CVISNET).
This joint effort is also aided by the Asia Pacific Network Information Centre (APNIC), a regional internet registry in Asia and one of ASTI’s training partners, through technology updates and technical knowledge capability-building.
The workshop's program, workshop outline, and on-line registration for interested participants are available online at: http://trainings.asti.dost.gov.ph.(rmn/PIA-7/HFG/DOST-7)
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DENR 7 reiterates protocol for high rise infra to ensure building safety
By Amorganda A. Saludar
CEBU CITY, April 18 (PIA) -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) 7 reiterated the set of protocols which should be followed in the construction of high rise infrastructures to ensure building safety.
DENR 7 Chief Geologist Al Emil Berador said that it is the role of the agency to regulate the safety of every building and infrastructure specifically high rise structures. Berado was guest at a recent forum of the Association of Government Information Officers (AGIO).
Berador said that based on the DENR guidelines, every proponent or project should secure an Environment Compliance Certificate (ECC) issued by the Environment Management System.
Another guideline is that the DENR- Mines Geosciences Bureau should also conduct a geological site scoping specifically for buildings and infrastructures, disclosed Berador.
Berador however, clarified the ECC is not a permit but a document that enumerates the conditions to be followed, observed and complied by the proponents to ensure that the structure is sound and safe.
“The ECC is a planning management tool that checks the impact of the projects to the environment,” Berador said.
While geological site scoping is an inspection conducted on site for possible hazards and further investigates environment impact to the project,” Berador added.
The DENR 7 urged building proponents to follow the rules, guidelines and protocols set in the establishment of buildings and infrastructures so as to avoid accidents caused by negligence and non-compliance of the requirements.
Berador further said they are currently conducting inventory to those proponents who passed project proposals to check whether the guidelines are being followed.
According to the DENR-7 official, any projects can be stop anytime if proven that it failed to adhere to the protocols as well as those projects that are proven unfit to the site which can only cause harm to the people and the environment.(FCR/AS/PIA-CEBU)
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DENR sets compliance requirements in building construction
CEBU CITY, April 18 (PIA) -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has explained requirements in the approval of construction of buildings in a forum organized by the Association of Government Information Officers in Region 7.
DENR Chief Geologist Al Emil Berador explained during the forum that before a certain company can construct a building, they should comply with the requirements of DENR's Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC).
The ECC is a document which affirms that an area is suitable for construction of tower buildings or construction projects.
It checks the present condition of the place, the slope, exposure of stones and soil of the area, and the proposed construction's possible impact on the environment.
Berador stressed that before issuing the ECC, a geologist will inspect the site to conduct a thorough study of the soil profile and any possible hazard that will later affect the project.
In line with this, the Engineering and Geological Hazard Assessment Report (EGHAR) will issue the findings of the study conducted in said area if there is faulty construction or faulty design.
After the evaluation, EGHAR will submit the report to DENR with their recommendations if any fault or failure is identified. (PIA-7/Darling May Deita and Shiela Fe Delos Reyes/ CNU Comm Interns)