NEWS & EVENTS

News & Events

With the theme, “#MANGGUGUBAT BALIK-UPLB: Makabuluhang Pamamahala sa Likas-Yaman,” the College of Forestry and Natural Resources commemorated its 108th year with a festive and rustic ambiance.

Guests and alumni flocked to the AV Manza Room to register for the various events and have their photos taken at the CFNR photo booth. Two ribbon cutting ceremonies were held in succession. One is to formally open the exhibits, with Dr. Patricia J. Sanchez and For. Rowena Esperanza D. Cabahug, and the other was to showcase the newly renovated Nicolas P. Lansigan Auditorium, with Chancellor Fernando C. Sanchez, Jr., Dean Willie P. Abasolo, Dean Felino P. Lansigan and Forester Dexter M. Cabahug spearheading the ribbon cutting.

CFNR celebrates its 108th Founding Anniversary

Louie DG. Amongo

The invocation and singing of the national anthem and Awit ng Kolehiyo signaled the opening of the program. Dean Abasolo welcomed the guests and alumni by acknowledging their presence. Among the guests were representatives of Lansigan Family, Augusto and Cynthia Lansigan, who donated one million pesos for the state-of-the-art audiovisual equipment, former deans Dr. Lucrecio L. Rebugio, Dr, Ramon A. Razal and Dr. Rex Victor O. Cruz, jubilarians, guests from other institutions such as the ERDB, FPRDI, DENR Region V Catanduanes and alumni from various academic organizations among others.

Plaques and certificates were awarded to retirees, outgoing unit heads, service awardees, UP scientists, outstanding personnel and 2018 Palarong UPLB and 2017 Pasko sa Gubat winners. Several responses were given by awardees.

In his message, Chancellor Sanchez shared that “UPLB has been truly fortunate to have CFNR as its partner, not only in upholding academic and research excellence but also in emboldening generations of foresters, scientists, researchers, public servants, and students on taking an active role in protecting, studying, and responsibly utilizing our country’s natural resources.” He further added that it is hoped that “CFNR and its people — faculty, REPS, administrative staff, students, and alumni will continue to dedicate themselves conscientiously in advancing forestry education, research, and protection in our country.”

Prof. Ronniel D. Manalo, CFNR associate dean, acknowledged everyone in his closing remarks before the singing of the UP Naming Mahal. In an orderly fashion, everyone proceeded to the venue of the boodle fight for lunch.

Serpent eagles find new home after rehabilitation

A.A. Limpiada and VD Barredo-Parducho

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Biodiversity Management Bureau had chosen the Mount Makiling Forest Reserve ASEAN heritage Park (MMFR-AHP) as the new home of six serpent eagles after rehabilitation. MMFR-AHP had been identified as the release area because of its being an ASEAN Heritage Park and a protected area, which are some of the good criteria for choosing a safe home for this wildlife species.

On Monday, 31 of July 2017, these serpent eagles were released back in the wild inside the Mount Makiling forest. The DENR-BMB staff and Dr. Glenn Maguad spearheaded the release. Makiling Center for Mountain Ecosystems (MCME) staff attended the short ceremonial program and witnessed the activity at the Makiling Botanic Gardens.

Dr. Nathaniel C. Bantayan, outgoing director of MCME, welcomed the DENR BMB staff and other visitors, while Dr. Roberto G. Visco, incoming director of MCME, gave a short message for the event. They both opened the cages to free the serpent eagles. Some eagles were excited to soar above the canopy while others just stayed on higher branches and acclimatized themselves in the area.

Other wildlife species, like reticulated python and terrestrial turtle, are scheduled for release according to DENR-BMB staff, who conducted ocular survey on suitable sites inside the MMFR. The staff visited Flatrocks area and vicinities. They also assaulted the Makiling Summit or Peak 2 as possible area for the next release.

Some species of eagles were observed soaring high in the sky during the time of release but according to DENR-BMB Staff, "those were not serpent eagles."

FDC and MCME hold policy forum on Harmonizing Policies on MMFR

Ma. Karissa M. Buot

A collaborative study by the Forestry Development Center (FDC) and the Makiling

Center for Mountain Ecosystems (MCME) brought to fore a forum on “Harmonizing

policies on Mount Makiling Forest Reserve (MMFR) ASEAN Heritage Park: Energy

Development and Sustainable Forestry” on June 27, 2017 held at the Umali Auditorium

of the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture

(SEARCA). It focused on the involvement of concerned stakeholders in the conservation

of MMFR as a sustainable energy resource.

MCME Director, Dr. Nathaniel C. Bantayan discussed the first part of the paper which

provided background on the Center, its functions, programs and activities. Included in

the discussion is the environmental impact of water in relation to renewable energy

such as geothermal projects. He emphasized that when there is water extraction is

not regulated at the Reserve, it can cause negative effect both on the quantity and

quality of water. For her part, the FDC Director, Dr. Priscila C. Dolom presented the different policies on MMFR and put forward policy recommendations such as that of UPLB Executive Order (EO) No. 2. However, the EO is not officially listed in the Official Gazette of the Philippines, hence it was not implemented by succeeding UPLB administration. Even so, this executive order needs to be amended to include protocols for permitting and monitoring of geothermal exploration and other development projects within MMFR.

The discussants invited were Ms. Marissa P. Cerezo of Renewable Energy Management Bureau- DOE, For. Mark Anthony C. Duliao of Environmental Management Bureau- DENR, Mr. John Edric T. Layumas of Philippine Geothermal Production Co., Inc, and Dr. Portia G. Lapitan of the Office of Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, UPLB and was also a former director of MCME.

Participants of the policy forum were from concerned agencies in the field of energy development and sustainable forestry.

It can be recalled that management of the MMFR is vested on the University as provided for in Republic Act 6967 Section 3, “the UPLB shall preserve watershed areas in the forest reserve for the development of hydro-geothermal power in coordination with the NPC, provided such development will not endanger the forest reserve and prejudice its purpose as a training laboratory.”

Professorial chair lecture on rattan cutting cycle held

Louie DG. Amongo

Prof. Willie P. Abasolo, dean of the CFNR, was the recepient of the professorial chair lecture award sponsored by the San Miguel Corporation. Entitled, Using the basic properties of rattan canes as basis in determining the optimum cutting cycle of rattan plantations, the lecture was held on
May 18, 2017 at the AV Manza Room of the College of Forestry and Natural Resources (CFNR) administration building.

Abasolo started his discussion by presenting an overview of the contribution of the forestry sector to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), its current gross value added, rattan furniture industry, optimum rotation and net present value. He went on to present his compilation of studies. Samples of rattan aged 7, 8, 10, 11, 14, 15, 18 and 20 years in plantations were studied through mechanical and thermo-mechanical testing, anatomical analysis and their chemical composition.

Results from his research showed that age does not influence the basic properties of the rattan cane. Also, it does not have the ability to readjust its stem to

counteract future stresses. Hence, it produces an overbuilt stem that could withstand future load requirement. The study further revealed that a seven-year old cane would have similar strength properties to a 20-year old cane.

As a reactor, Dr. Armando Palijon, adjunct professor from the Institute of Renewable Natural Resources, shared his experience on rattan plantation. He emphasized that proper knowledge on rattan plantation establishment and management is the key. However, his main concern was the reduction of the cutting age of rattan, which according to him, may sacrifice growth of succeeding canes since their growth is supported by the mother canes. Palijon gave his insights on why the rattan industry did not prosper in the Philippines. He emphasized that research should be tied up with the industry to utilize information more efficiently rather than just being confined in dusty shelves. Further, the lack of policy support from the Congress and Senate has put the rattan industry in a standstill, Palijon added.

AUN-QA assessment at program level held in UPLB

Peter Jerome B. Del Rosario

The University of the Philippines Los Banos (UPLB) College of Forestry and Natural Resources (CFNR) was one of the subjects of the recently concluded 78th ASEAN University Network (AUN) Quality Assurance Assessment at Program Level on January 23-25, 2017.

CFNR and the College of Agriculture and Food Science (CAFS) welcomed the arrival of Dr. Choltis Dhirathiti, AUN deputy director; Ms. Wilasinee Sittisomboon, AUN programme officer; Prof. Wan Ahmad Kamil Mahmood and Dr. Ir. Johannes Pramana Gentur Sutapa, assessors of Forestry Study Program; and Associate Professor Dr. Le Quang Minh and Dr. Agus Setiabudi, assessors of Agriculture Study Program at the Drilon Hall of the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) on January 23, 2017.

The activity was succeeded by tours around the college and university. With the CFNR AUN Self-Assessment Report Team representatives as tour guides, the forestry study assessors visited university infrastructures such as the Student Union Building and UPLB Main Library, as well as the CFNR Library, BINHI Biodiversity Park, and the Environmental Remote Sensing and Geo—Information Laboratory. A series of sectoral meetings followed. Academic and support staff of the college were also interviewed on the same day, while alumni, employers, and students were interviewed the next day, January 24, 2017.

The culmination of the three-day activity was held at Narra Hall, Training Center for Tropical Resources and Ecosystems Sustainability (TREES), CFNR on the final day, January 25, 2017. Several luminaries from the university attended the event. These include Dr. Crisanto A. Dorado, vice-chancellor for administration; Dr. Serlie Barroga-Jamias, vice-chancellor for community affairs; Dr. Nina M. Cadiz, director of the Office of Student Affairs and Dr. Enrico P. Supangco, dean of the CAFS. Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs Dr. Portia G. Lapitan and AUN Deputy Director Dhirathiti delivered their closing remarks.

Prior to the closing program, initial results of the actual assessment by assessor teams on the two bachelor of science programs were discussed privately at the Rola Room of the CFNR Administrative Building. The final results of the AUN-QA is scheduled to be released in June 2017.

CFNR and the College of Agriculture and Food Science (CAFS) welcomed the arrival of Dr. Choltis Dhirathiti, AUN deputy director; Ms. Wilasinee Sittisomboon, AUN programme officer; Prof. Wan Ahmad Kamil Mahmood and Dr. Ir. Johannes Pramana Gentur Sutapa, assessors of Forestry Study Program; and Associate Professor Dr. Le Quang Minh and Dr. Agus Setiabudi, assessors of Agriculture Study Program at the Drilon Hall of the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) on January 23, 2017.

Academic and support staff of the college were also interviewed on the same day, while alumni, employers, and students were interviewed the next day, January 24, 2017.

CFNR holds AUN-QA consultation workshop