SGF-DENR Mini Conference
March 30, 2022
MIAG-AO, ILOILO, Sulu Garden Foundation [SGF] Chairman, Jonathan R. Matias, and Senior Research Associate, Norielle Diamante, met with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (DENR-PENRO, Iloilo), Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO-Guimbal), and the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO-Miagao) to discuss the current and future conservation projects of SGF at Sulu Garden, Miagao.
SGF Chairman giving the DENR-PENRO, CENRO and MENRO a tour around Sulu Garden
The meeting was attended by PENRO-Iloilo DMO II, Ma. Dolores Bautista and PMF Reynaldo Lamanero; CENR Officer, For. Vicente T. Mellizas, Jr.; SREMS III, Ms. Marivic Buñag; Forester I, Jojie P. Gereza; and EMS II/Designated EMR Officer Isidro C. Mosura, Jr.
SGF Chairman giving the DENR-PENRO, CENRO and MENRO a tour around Sulu Garden.
This mini-conference is to enable coordination on shared goals of environmental protection and how SGF may collaborate with DENR in the future. The meeting started at 10:00 in the morning with a tour of Sulu Garden. The audience was presented with the SGF’s mission and vision in conservation sciences. The visitors were shown the Diorama of the Battle of Mactan, which was showcased last March-April, 2021 during the 500th anniversary of this momentous event in Philippine history. SGF was part of the international celebration of the Magellan’s Circumnavigation of the World.
One of the presentations was the ongoing survey of Sapa Creek which is located adjacent to Sulu Garden,
Kikiro fish after measurement.
Sapa Creek is situated at approximately 10.6392 latitudes and 122.2334 longitudes on the island of Panay. Elevation at these coordinates is estimated at 10.1 meters or 33.1 feet above mean sea level. Ground Truthing or the validation of the accuracy of the location of the site from the map through in-situ observations of Sapa creek was conducted last January 10 and February 8, 2022. GPS, geotagging and ARCMap Software were used to determine the location, perimeter and area.
(Click here to read more about the survey of the creek).
Next presented as the ongoing study of the scat fish (Scatophagus argus) or
Meeting proper.
Conduct of the initial mapping survey of Sapa Creek with the GIS Staff and SGF team.
locally known as “kikiro.” It is a native fish with potentially high economic value and sustainability for the community. Other faunas found within Sapa Creek were also presented to highlight the rich biodiversity of the creek.
LEARN MORE through this link: https://sulugardenfoundation.org/conservation-of-creeks-and-estuaries/
Last on the ongoing projects were the surveys of the common island flying fox (Pteropus hypomelanus). These fruit bats are roosting within the town of Miag-ao, with human residents around them. (Click here to read the results of the survey).
Island flying fox roosting within the town of Miagao.
Learn more about this project through this link: https://sulugardenfoundation.org/elementor-2699/
Aside from the ongoing projects, future conservation efforts for protection of pristine highland forests were discussed as well. SGF is looking forward to a collaboration with DENR to effectively continue our mission of SGF towards environmental protection and wildlife conservation.
Written by: Senior Science Officer, Norielle Diamante (See profile)