Groups urge preservation of Catanduanes National Park

Various groups from the government and religious sector on Wednesday underscored the need to preserve the Catandanues National Park amid mining activities in the area and other environmental hazards.

The park, considered “Bicol region’s last remaining frontier,” spans over 48,000 hectares covering 10 municipalities or 70 barangays.

“What makes Catanduanes Natural Park special and unique is the fact that it is a close forest serving as our shield from typhoons and other disasters,” Editha Milan of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-Catanduanes said in a convention.

Milan said the park can be protected “by being very cautious about expanding our agricultural activities, [the] abaca industry in particular.”

The DENR has proposed a “self-help” approach for the preservation of the Catanduanes Natural Park, which will mainstream community efforts to protect the environment.

The bishop of Virac meanwhile said preserving the park is a communal obligation.

“We all share this grave responsibility. Unless we own up to this obligation, our forest reserve, our rivers and seas will continue to suffer, and our quality of life will continue to be in peril,” said Bishop Manolo de los Santos.

According to Fr. Edwin Gariguez of NASSA/Caritas Philippines, the Department of Energy attempted in 2015 to make Catanduanes a “go zone” for coal mining in an effort to boost the country’s economy.

“Why our government is very adamant in opening up our forests for mining really puzzles me. Isn’t it very ironic?” he said.

In 2012, Gariguez received the Goldman Environment Prize for advocating against large-scale mining in the country.

NASSA/Caritas Philippines, in partnership with the Philippine Misereor Partnership, Inc., has also been pushing for the passage of the Rights of Nature Bill in both chambers of Congress.

Senator Risa Hontiveros filed the said bill last October 2, which aims to recognize natural ecosystems and processes as legal entities and empower environmental advocates. —Julia Mari Ornedo/LDF, GMA News