The Forest Nation

A month ago, the Philippines just had its 16th president. With the number of days counted, the number of people who die under the presidency of Rodrigo Duterte also rises. It can be clearly seen that the president is serious when he promised to eliminate drugs and crime in the country, however, there are also other issues that needs his concern and attention.

On his first State of the Nation Address (SONA), President Duterte mentioned about his campaign to lessen the negative effect of mining activities in the Philippines such as strict implementation of rules and regulations of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources under DENR Secretary Gina Lopez and requiring all mining companies to secure a permit before conducting operations.

Though he presented plans, the war against the destruction of the environment and the war to stop deforestation is still very vague.

Based on an article “Deforestation in the Philippines”, over the 20th century, the forest covered by the Philippines dropped from 70 percent down to 20 percent. In total, 46 species are endangered, and four were already eradicated completely. Only 3.2 percent of total rainforest is left and based on an analysis of land use pattern maps and a road maps, an estimated 9.8 million of forests were lost in the Philippines from 1934 to 1988.

There is a dramatic downfall in terms of the condition of the environment in the Philippines. Due to the abusive use of this resources and the weak implementation of rules and regulations our future will suffer.

One Facebook page named “Pinoy Mountaineer” posted a photo of veteran hiker and environmentalist Dik Arvesu with a placard in his hands that says, “BUKOD SA WAR ON DRUGS, SANA MAY WAR ON DEFORESTATION DIN”. The written message was address to president Duterte. The photo was taken by Fredd Ochavo in Ipo Watershed, Norzagaray in the province of Bulacan.

Stated on the caption was “Hikers can do much more than just climbing mountains, or even practicing Leave No Trace (LNT) principles - we can be engaged in environmental issues affecting the mountains, including deforestation.” These mountaineers are aware of the current situation of the environment especifially the mountains. They are calling for help to save mother earth.

According to scholar Jessica Mathews, short-sighted policies by the Filipino government have contributed to the high rate of deforestation. The government grants logging concessions at the same time illegal logging is rampant thus resulting to intensify flood damage in some areas of the Philippines.

Though some logging companies undergo reforestation or replanting of damaged areas in the forest, it takes 30-35 years before a second-growth forest to mature. There are also lots of recorded incidents of kaingin farming – cutting and burning of trees in an area for cultivation processes - and forest fire that resulted to a clear and treeless mountain.

The Philippines is not just rich with natural resources but it is also rich with rules and regulations protecting our forest. One of which is the Philippine Environmental Code, Presidential Decree No. 1152 that aims to achieve and maintain levels of air quality as to protect public health and to prevent injury and/or damage to plant and animal life and property, and promote the social and economic development of the country.

On the one hand, weak implementation and little importance given are the main foes of this issue.

At the end of day, the key to solve this deteriorating issue will come from the mouth and action of a very powerful man, the president. As for us, free lodgers and users of the environment, we must abide all these rules and regulations not just to protect the nature but also to protect ourselves from its wrath.