Left photo: UBRDEC Center Head For. Gregorio Santos Jr. at the opening of the activity. Right photo: UBRDEC tour of their facilities

The Urban and Biodiversity Research Development and Extension Center (UBRDEC) celebrated the International Day for Biodiversity with the theme “From Agreement to Action: Build Back Biodiversity” at the UBRDEC Hall of Friends on May 22, 2023. The activity aimed to strengthen the ties of UBRDEC and DENR offices in Quezon for science-based and evidence-based implementation of various environmental programs and projects. PENRO Ronilo Salac and CENRO Cyril Coliflores were present during the activity.

Following the theme of this year’s International Day of Biodiversity, Senior Science Research Specialist Ms. Adreana Santos-Remo facilitated the discussion with the ENRO offices to implement actions and help build back biodiversity in Quezon through the use of ERDB-developed ENR technologies. Ms. Remo highlighted the use of clonal propagation to increase forest cover, carrying capacity determination for protected areas, bamboo production for sustainable livelihood, mangrove propagation, and equitable revenue distribution for non-timber forest products.

We are committing our support for the initiatives that PENRO is bringing in for the province so we can push our goal as DENR offices”, UBRDEC Center Head For. Gregorio Santos Jr. expressed after the discussion citing the importance of synergy between the offices. PENRO Quezon had identified that they will seek technical assistance for the management of non-timber forest products and in the development of watershed and riverbank stabilization measures for the province.

Left photo: Some of the activities during the tour of UBRDEC’s facilities. Right photo: Group picture at the ceremonial tree planting site.

UBRDEC also hosted a tour of its facilities and provided a lecture on ERDB’s research and technologies. In line with this, UBRDEC also launched its social media campaign “UBRDEC BiodiSerye” to promote the diverse mangrove ecosystem of the Pagbilao Mangrove Experimental Forest.

Left photo: Ceremonial Tree Planting of ‘tindalo’ with Quezon PENRO Ronilo Salac Right photo: Signing of pledge of commitment to promote science for biodiversity

To mark the activity, the participants signed their pledge of commitment to biodiversity and conducted a ceremonial tree planting activity to serve as a testament and a living reminder of the office’s shared responsibility to nurture and protect our precious natural resources. For. David Ivan T. Malinao, UBRDEC

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