Red's Corner

Dr. Henry Astoveza Adornado is the current Regional Executive Director of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Region IV-A CALABARZON. Born in Quezon Province, Dr. Adornado has an extensive educational background in environment and natural resources management. He obtained his Forest Ranger Certificate and Forestry Degree from the University of the Philippines Los Baños in 1991 and De La Salle Araneta University, respectively in 1994.

Director Adornado also explored international platforms as he was granted scholarship for Master's degree in Agriculture in Ibaraki University, Japan where he graduated in 2006. Afterwards, he pursued his doctorate with a major in Environmental Science in the United Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, also in Japan. He finished his Doctor of Philosophy in March 2009.

Public service for environmental protection and conservation has been the foundation of Director Adornado's career. He entered the government service in 1996 as contractual forester through the DENR's Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) in Real, Quezon and eventually got regular item as Forester I in December 1997. Working with the CENRO-Real for four years fortified his knowledge and experience relative to the sustainable utilization, development, protection and management of ENR. Subsequently, he joined the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) in 2000 and DENR Region 4A in 2009 until 2013. He also served as Assistant to the Regional Executive Director of R4A in July 2013 and as Head Executive Assistant of then DENR Secretary Ramon JP Paje in 2014.

In January 2015, Director Adornado was designated as the Director of Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau. During his stint as an ERDB Director, he introduced several innovations that made ERDB visible to the public and stakeholders and supported publication of scientific and popular publications that helped bring environmental science to various groups of people. He also started career pathing system that led to having scientist in the Bureau. He led ERDB to be a top performing Bureau for consecutive years before he was assigned as Regional Executive Director of MIMAROPA Region. Two years later, he was assigned again to the Research Sector.

In January 2022, Director Adornado was assigned in DENR Region 10. His first year in Mindanao was full of challenges of which he introduced various strategies to include harmonization of policies with other agencies to address issues coupled by capacitating employees. Consequently in 2024, DENR Secretary Ma. Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga conferred the agency's Environmental Awards for Governance and Leadership Excellence (EAGLE) to RED Adornado in recognition of his exemplary leadership skills, major accomplishments and contributions as head of DENR 10 in 2022. Under his leadership, DENR 10 was also awarded as the Best Performing Regional Office for 2022 for its contribution in the efficient and effective implementation of the department's goals.

Rose from the rank, Forester Adornado is a holder of Director IV position. His achievement mirrors his hardwork, commitment and expertise in contributing significantly to the advancement of DENR's goal for the protection and conservation of the environment and natural resources.