TACLOBAN CITY — To mark Earth Day 2026, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region 8 launched an immersive field activity in Basey, highlighting ongoing conservation efforts inside one of Eastern Visayas’ key protected areas.
Dubbed “Eco-Explorer for a Day,” the initiative brought members of the media into the Samar Island Natural Park (SINP), giving them firsthand experience of the work carried out by forest technicians and environmental frontliners.
Participants joined the SINP team in conducting a Biodiversity Monitoring System (BMS) activity in Sohoton, a known ecotourism site within Basey held last April 22.
The group trekked for more than two hours across over two kilometers of rugged limestone forest, covering eight monitoring stations around the Sohoton Cave and Natural Bridge.
The BMS activity involved assessing the condition of plant and animal life and documenting environmental changes within the protected area.
According to forest technician Sheena Garces, monitoring is conducted quarterly to track wildlife populations, including bird species, and to record incidents such as illegal activities and environmental degradation.
During the trek, participants observed both the resilience and vulnerability of the forest ecosystem. Signs of human impact were evident in some areas, including patches affected by slash-and-burn farming and trees cut for charcoal production. At the same time, the group noted thriving native vegetation and the presence of various bird species, underscoring the ecological value of the park.
The activity also included a tree-planting effort aimed at supporting forest restoration and long-term sustainability.
DENR Regional Executive Director Salazar said the Eco-Explorer Program is designed to strengthen environmental awareness by engaging stakeholders, particularly the media, in actual fieldwork.
He emphasized that direct exposure to conservation activities helps highlight the agency’s ongoing efforts to protect natural resources in the region.
The Earth Day initiative reinforced the need for collaboration among communities, government agencies, and partners to safeguard ecosystems in Eastern Visayas and encourage wider public participation in environmental protection.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
