CEBU, Philippines - The biggest man-made mangrove plantation in Asia located in Getafe, north of Bohol may become just another part of the history.
This after illegal logging has become rampant in the area, where an estimated 425 hectares of mangrove forest of the island is located, and the local government seems not doing something about it.
Environmentalist Romeo Cabading, who is also a resident of Getafe, said the illegal cutting of mangroves in the supposed protected area is becoming extensive over the years due to the lack of forest guards to look over the area. His group’s constant call on the local government to address the problem seems to fall on deaf ears, he added.
Last Thursday, The FREEMAN had the chance to see the mangrove forest of Banacon Island, Getafe, and witnessed that some parts of the plantation were actually bald already. There were even freshly cut ones as can be gleaned from the still green leaves of the fallen mangrove branches.
Portions mostly affected, however, were in the middle of the forest, as according to Cabading, cutters would prefer to pick on those areas to hide their crime since guests and those few vigilant who visit the plantation would not bother going to that part.
Cabading, who is also a member of the environmental group Knight-Stewards of the Sea, Inc. or Seaknights, said a short trip inside the forest or an aerial view of the plantation can tell that the area, which was once visited by former presidents Fidel V. Ramos and Joseph Estrada, is in a “very sad state.”
The other week, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources arrested two individuals for cutting mangroves “at our insistence,” according to Cabading.
Getafe has its own Bantay Dagat task force, but Cabading said, it appears that it does not actually exist, because if they are the illegal cutters would not be such aggressive to do their crime even in broad daylight.
Most of the illegal cutters are actually from Cebu, Cabading said. Getafe is about an hour ride by motorized boat from the island of Cebu.
The FREEMAN tried to contact Getafe Mayor Tessie Camacho using her mobile number for several times for comment, but to no avail.
Mangroves Gone By 2016
Mangroves, which are considered high value wood, are used for furniture, firewood, and others.
Cabading said that at the rate of cutting those mangroves, by 2016, it will all be gone.
“And it will be very sad considering that this mangrove forest is the breeding ground for the fishes from Danajon bank,” he said in reference to the island’s double barrier reef.
Cabading said that he only hopes that the local government would do something soon, considering that most of the town folk thrive on fishing.
Also, the 425-hectare Banacon Island Mangrove Forest is also being considered as the town’s eco-tourist destination because of its scenic trails and lush mangrove forests along the “highways” of seawater that are enough for the boats to pass by, which means, a potential income for the residents and the town, he said. The forest is a 10-minute boat ride from the Getafe wharf.
The crystal clear water also allows visitors to see the variety of small fishes inhabiting the area, which is an added attraction.
It was allegedly in 1950 when Banacon Island first lost its lush mangrove forests due to excessive cutting done by residents, subsequently resulting to the loss of their livelihood. Even then, the Banacon people had depended on mangroves for firewood, poles for their house, and for fish to feed their families.
In 1957, however, a Getafe resident named Eugenio Paden started planting new mangroves in the island. The mangroves seen today were actually a big part of Paden’s work thus a 10-meter-wide “highway” set-up in the middle of the plantations was named after him. — Liv G. Campo/WAB (THE FREEMAN)