The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 21 March the International Day of Forests. The Day celebrates and raises awareness of the importance of all types of forests. On each International Day of Forests, countries are encouraged to undertake local, national and international efforts to organize activities involving forests and trees, such as tree planting campaigns. Click here for the full text of the UN Resolution.
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CALL FOR PARTICIPATION AT THE WETLAND YOUTH PHOTO CONTEST IN LINE WITH THE CELEBRATION OF THE 2015 WORLD WETLANDS DAY
The World Wetlands Day is being observed every 2 February since 1997. This annual event aimed to raise public awareness of wetland values and benefits and promote the conservation and wise use of wetlands. It also marks the signing of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands on the same day in 1971 at the Iranian city of Ramsar. The Ramsar Convention on Wetland is an intergovernmental treaty that provides the framework for national action and international cooperation for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources, to which, the Philippines is the 119th contracting party. For this year’s World Wetlands Day celebration with the theme “Wetlands for Our Future” we are enticing youth to experience wetlands for themselves through Wetland Youth Photo Contest. In line with this we are calling the participation of anyone aged 15-24 to snap and upload a picture taken in a wetland location in the country between 2 February and 2 March 2015 to the World Wetlands Day website. The participants for this contest will have a chance to win a free flight to a famous wetland of their choice. This photographic challenge will highlight one of the many ways wetlands ensure our future. For the details of this contest, please visit http://www.worldwetlandsday.org/en/ DENR CATANDUANES@Your Service San Isidro Village, Virac, Catanduanes Email: [email protected]. ph, [email protected] |
Catanduanes
The island province of Catanduanes is a kidney-shaped island at the easternmost seaboard of the Philippines. It is the first landmass of the Philippine archipelago to kiss the Pacific Ocean at 13 degrees to 14 degrees north latitude and 124 degrees to 125.5 degrees longitude. A part of Bicol Region, Catanduanes is the 12th largest island of the Philippines and is separated from the Bicol peninsula by the Maqueda Channel and Lagonoy Gulf.
Catanduanes is a lush island of mountains and water. Forest cover about 46 percent of the total land area. Surfacing from the mountains are numerous springs, waterfalls and rivers training out into the ocean. The island is lined with more than 20 islets and rocks that give it an interesting shoreline. It also provides the choice of deed swells and surfs of the Pacific Ocean in the northeastern tip. On the southern tip, one can view the gentle lolling of the ebb and the flow of the waters of Maqueda Channel over its over its cream sand beaches.
Catanduanes is a lush island of mountains and water. Forest cover about 46 percent of the total land area. Surfacing from the mountains are numerous springs, waterfalls and rivers training out into the ocean. The island is lined with more than 20 islets and rocks that give it an interesting shoreline. It also provides the choice of deed swells and surfs of the Pacific Ocean in the northeastern tip. On the southern tip, one can view the gentle lolling of the ebb and the flow of the waters of Maqueda Channel over its over its cream sand beaches.
Brief History
The PROVINCE OF CATANDUANES, (opposite the Bicol Region), is bounded by the Maqueda Channel on th the west, the Pacific Ocean on the north and east, and the Lagonoy Gulf and Cabugao Bay on the south.
The Island, with a land area of 1,511.5 square kilometers and a population of 215,356 in 2000, is composed of 11 towns, with Virac as the capital. Its fertile soil was made richer by the volcanic ashes form the distant Mayon Volcano.
Catanduanes is frequently visited by storms. However, the vessel that visits its ports are provided with safe enchorage by the bays and coves of Kalapalan, Giogmoto, Soboc, and Cabugao.
The important industries of the province are fishing, and cattle rising. In Pandan, "buri" hats and mats, roof shingles, and alcohol are manufactured for local consumption.
The province, formerly known as "Catanduan," "Catandognan," and finally, "Catanduanes," derived its name from the "tando" trees which then abound in the Island.
In 1573, Juan de Saceldo explored Catanduanes. Later, on January 6, 1576, Fr. Diego de Herrera with nine Augustinians sailed from Acapulco to the Philippines aboard the galleon, "Espiritu Santo."
Although it was reported that the galleon was shipwrecked near the coast of Catanduanes in April 1576, the others claimed that the disaster was caused by bad weather and all the crewmembers perished. Some said that the survivors were either killed by natives or made servants of a certain "Datu" of the island.
Catanduanes was once a part of Ibalon, now Albay. The ecclesiastical mission in the province was controlled by Nueva Caceres. However, in 1582, it was allotted to four "encomendoeros.
In 1663, Fr. Francisco Colin, SJ. described the inhabitants as noted shipbuilders, without using nails or futtock timbers.
In 1755, the Muslims overran the island, defeated the "alcalde mayor," and pillaged and burned the towns including important ecclesiastical and municipal records.
During the Philippine Revolution, the Spaniards left Catanduanes on a motorboat named Josefa on September 18, 1898, before the arrival of the first Philippine revolutionary troops under Major Estanislao Legazpi.
When the Philippine-American war broke out, Brigadier General William A. Kobbe occupied Virac on January 24, 1900.
The island was governed by Japanese Imperial Forces after they occupied Legazpi in 1941. After the liberation of Bicol region in 1945, including Catanduanes, the United States Armed Forces maintained a military base in Panay island.
On September 26, 1945, Commonwealth Act. No. 687, Catanduanes (a subprovince of Albay) became a separate and independent province. Under Republic Act No. 159, dated June 26, 1947, the former municipality of Caramoan was recreated out of the Municipality of Pandan; under R.A. No. 491, dated June 12, 1950, the Municipality of Bagamanoc was also created.
In the town of Bato, Msgr. Teotimo Pacis, Bishop of Legazpi, declared the Holy Cross of Batalay as a Diocesan Shrine on April 1, 1973. The cross was said to be the place by Geronimo Galves at the burial site of Fr. Herrera in 1576. (Source: www.wowbicol.com)
The Island, with a land area of 1,511.5 square kilometers and a population of 215,356 in 2000, is composed of 11 towns, with Virac as the capital. Its fertile soil was made richer by the volcanic ashes form the distant Mayon Volcano.
Catanduanes is frequently visited by storms. However, the vessel that visits its ports are provided with safe enchorage by the bays and coves of Kalapalan, Giogmoto, Soboc, and Cabugao.
The important industries of the province are fishing, and cattle rising. In Pandan, "buri" hats and mats, roof shingles, and alcohol are manufactured for local consumption.
The province, formerly known as "Catanduan," "Catandognan," and finally, "Catanduanes," derived its name from the "tando" trees which then abound in the Island.
In 1573, Juan de Saceldo explored Catanduanes. Later, on January 6, 1576, Fr. Diego de Herrera with nine Augustinians sailed from Acapulco to the Philippines aboard the galleon, "Espiritu Santo."
Although it was reported that the galleon was shipwrecked near the coast of Catanduanes in April 1576, the others claimed that the disaster was caused by bad weather and all the crewmembers perished. Some said that the survivors were either killed by natives or made servants of a certain "Datu" of the island.
Catanduanes was once a part of Ibalon, now Albay. The ecclesiastical mission in the province was controlled by Nueva Caceres. However, in 1582, it was allotted to four "encomendoeros.
In 1663, Fr. Francisco Colin, SJ. described the inhabitants as noted shipbuilders, without using nails or futtock timbers.
In 1755, the Muslims overran the island, defeated the "alcalde mayor," and pillaged and burned the towns including important ecclesiastical and municipal records.
During the Philippine Revolution, the Spaniards left Catanduanes on a motorboat named Josefa on September 18, 1898, before the arrival of the first Philippine revolutionary troops under Major Estanislao Legazpi.
When the Philippine-American war broke out, Brigadier General William A. Kobbe occupied Virac on January 24, 1900.
The island was governed by Japanese Imperial Forces after they occupied Legazpi in 1941. After the liberation of Bicol region in 1945, including Catanduanes, the United States Armed Forces maintained a military base in Panay island.
On September 26, 1945, Commonwealth Act. No. 687, Catanduanes (a subprovince of Albay) became a separate and independent province. Under Republic Act No. 159, dated June 26, 1947, the former municipality of Caramoan was recreated out of the Municipality of Pandan; under R.A. No. 491, dated June 12, 1950, the Municipality of Bagamanoc was also created.
In the town of Bato, Msgr. Teotimo Pacis, Bishop of Legazpi, declared the Holy Cross of Batalay as a Diocesan Shrine on April 1, 1973. The cross was said to be the place by Geronimo Galves at the burial site of Fr. Herrera in 1576. (Source: www.wowbicol.com)
Virac
Virac is a 1st class municipality the province of Catanduanes, Philippines. It is the capital municipality of the province and the third largest town with a land area of 188 km2. According to the 2007 census, it has a population of 64,554.