Page 6 - Urban-Escape-Issue-1

6 URBANescape

DENR National Capital Region opens its Visitor’s Center for

the Las Piñas-Parañaque Critical Habitat and Ecotourism Area

Manila Bay Bike Patrollers

to do rounds in Baywalk Area

DENR National Capital Region successfully launched
on Saturday, 9 March 2019, the Manila Bay Watch Bike
Patrollers for Baywalk Area in Malate, Manila.
The ceremony, led by DENR National Capital Region
Regional Executive Director Jacqueline A. Caancan and
her Assistant Regional Directors for Management and
Technical Services, Gwendolyn C. Bambalan and Engr.
Ignacio A. Almira, Jr. respectively, was witnessed by
volunteer bikers from Siklistang Pinoy Novaliches v. 2.0
DENR National Capital Region RED Jacqueline A. Caancan (left) proudly and other independent bikers.
beams as Camille Villar of Villar-SIPAG and Asec. Corazon C. Davis cut the
ribbon for the LPPCHEA Visitors’ Center.

DENR officials inaugurated on Thursday, 21 March 2019,
the Las Piñas-Parañaque Critical Habitat and Ecotourism
Area (LPPCHEA) Visitors’ Center. The inaguaration and
blessing of the building was done in time with the celebration
of the 6th year anniversary of designation of LPPCHEA as
a wetland of international significance under the Ramsar
Convention on Wetlands.

LPPCHEA is one of the seven Ramsar sites in the Philippines
and was recognized as such in 2013 because of the critical
role it plays in the survival of threatened, restricted-range
and congregatory bird species like the endemic Philippine After the program, the cyclists pedalled their way to the
Duck (Anas luzonica) and Chinese Egret. Manila Yacht Club to participate in the cleanup activity of
The ceremony was led by DENR National Capital Region other volunteer groups in the area.
Regional Executive Director Jacqueline A. Caancan, her The six (6) Manila Bay Watch Bike Patrollers of DENR
Assistant Regional Directors Gwendolyn C. Bambalan National Capital Region will regularly patrol the entire
(Management Services), Engr. Ignacio R. Almira, Jr. stretch of Baywalk area (from the US Embassy to the
(Technical Services), and Dr. Eva Ocfemia (Manila Bay). Manila Yacht Club) to ensure cleanliness in the area and

They were joined by DENR Assistant Secretary for Policy help local officials in the enforcement of ordinances on
and Planning Service Corazon C. Davis, Dir. Crisanta littering and waste management.
Marlene P. Rodriguez of the Biodiversity Management
Bureau (BMB), and Dir. Lourdes C. Wagan of the Foreign DENR creates... From Page 4
Assisted and Special Projects Service (FASPS). The Monitoring and Enforcement Section would monitor
compliance with forestry, wildlife and other environmental
The event was witnessed by Ms. Camille Villar who laws, as well as conduct surveillance and investigation
represented her mother, Senator Cynthia A. Villar, a staunch activities.
supporter of LPPCHEA and environmental advocate. Also
present are Councilor Ruben C. Canlas of Las Piñas City, The Conservation and Development Section would undertake
Mr. Boitaga Mojica of the City Environmental and Natural activities for protected area and biodiversity, urban forestry,
Resources Office (CENRO) Parañaque City, and Mr. Mike coastal resource and foreshore, and community relations
Lu of the Wild Bird Club of the Philippines. development.

RED Caancan said that the center will house information Issuances of permits and other requirements for forestry,
materials and shall serve as learning activity center for wildlife, and patents would be handled by the Permitting and
visitors of LPPCHEA. Regulation Section.