Malapatan, Sarangani – The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) 12, through the Protected Area Management Board of Sarangani Bay Protected Seascape (PAMB SBPS), successfully conducted the first-ever Protected Area (PA) Ranger Capacity Building and Tactical Training from February 25-28, 2025, at Tariza Beach Club, Malapatan, Sarangani Province.
This groundbreaking initiative, in collaboration with the Philippine National Police – Regional Maritime Unit 12, aimed to enhance the skills and preparedness of PA rangers in strengthening enforcement efforts within Sarangani Bay. The training provided essential skills to enable rangers to effectively safeguard and respond to threats within the protected seascape.
The training encompassed various critical topics, including law enforcement and environmental protection, military drills and tactical discipline, basic self-defense and first aid, ranger patrolling and navigation, conflict de-escalation and arrest procedures, night foot patrol operations, oil spill response and detection, resource damage assessment, and marine megafauna response.
A total of 19 Protected Area Rangers from Community Environment and Natural Resources Offices (CENRO) and Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Offices (MENRO) within Sarangani Bay actively participated in the event. Among them, Glezeel S. Valle emerged as the Top 1 trainee, followed by Erwin T. Baliad (Top 2), Yasser V. Usman (Top 3), Rodrigo N. Improgo III (Top 4), and Arnold Bigtasin (Top 5), all of whom demonstrated outstanding dedication and performance throughout the training.
Distinguished keynote speakers included representatives from the Philippine Coast Guard, DENR XII Conservation and Development Division – Enforcement Division, and the Protected Area Management Board – Sarangani Bay Protected Seascape (PAMB SBPS), along with the Protected Area Management Biodiversity Conservation Section (PAMBCS).
This event reflects the commitment of the Protected Area Management Board to strengthening law enforcement capacity in the Sarangani Bay Protected Seascape. By equipping rangers with the necessary skills and knowledge, the initiative seeks to enhance marine biodiversity protection, prevent illegal activities, and promote sustainable resource management. Such efforts ensure that rangers are better prepared to uphold conservation initiatives and respond to environmental challenges effectively.
