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Deforestation at Ipo Dam watershed continues


A satellite footage taken in 2019 shows that there are almost no more trees in a portion of Mount Oriod, an area which is part of the Ipo Dam watershed, due to timber poachers.

In Ian Simbulan's report on “Stand for Truth,” a volunteer from the University of the Philippines Mountaineers said the destroyed area is so huge that it could fit the Rizal Park and the Quirino Grandstand.

“2007 pa lang nakakakita na kami. Kasi nung taong ‘yun, 2007 nag adapt ‘yung UP Mountaineers ng area doon sa Ipo water shed para mag tanim ng mga puno. So habang nag tatanim kami, nakakarinig kami ng mga chainsaw,” Fredd Ochavo said.

“Tapos may mga nakikita rin kaming mga tablon na lumulutang sa ilog. Kasi doon nila pinapandaan ‘yung mga tablon,” he added.

The cutting of trees is strictly prohibited in all watersheds in the country.

“[I]tong mga nakaraan na buwan, meron kasing ibang mga mountaineers na umaakyat din mula sa ibang grupo, tapos kapag nakakakita sila ng mga illegal activities… sinusumbong,” he said.

Ochavo said timber poachers were taking their chance to cut down trees amid the quarantine brought by the coronavirus disease 2019.

“So dahil nga may quarantine, bibihira ‘yung mga bibisita, so hindi sila natatakot. Alam nilang walang makakaita sa kanila,” Ochavo said.

The volunteer said treesare vital, especially during the rainy season.

“Mahalagang mahalaga na maraming puno, lalo na ngayong tag-ulan. Dahil walang pumipigil sa pag bagsak ng tubig, walang mga ugat, kaunti ‘yung mga ugat ng mga puno na pumipigil, ‘yung bumabagsak karamihan puro putik na,” Ochavo said.

“Tas ‘yung tubig maburak kasi kung baga wala nang nagko-control sa erosion ng lupa. Dahil marumi ‘yung tubig na ‘yon, ‘yung mga water treatment plants dito sa Metro Manila, nahihirapan linisin,” he added.

Ochavo said the primary challenge is forest protection, adding that government’s funds were lacking to protect the remaining forest.

“’Yung pondo nila para sa kagamitan, sa uniporme, sa bota, sa mga backpack, ‘yung mga kinakailangan para umakyat ng bundok, kapos din,” he said.—Joahna Lei Casilao/LDF, GMA News