Manila: A recent rash of woodland and grass fires that struck various areas of the Philippines has left a negative impact on the country’s biodiversity, an official said.
According to Environment Secretary Ramon Paje, the recent fires in Mount Apo in Davao, Matutum in South Cotabato, Kitanglad in Bukidnon and Kanlaon in Negros Island makes it necessary for the country to give priority to forest fire prevention.
“All protected area management boards (PAMBs) across the country should give priority to forest fire prevention in their management planning strategy to ensure the protection of the nation’s biodiversity and their habitats,” he said.
Biodiversity or “biological diversity” pertains to the variety and variability of animal and plant life existing over a certain area.
The fire on Mt. Apo continues to rage after more than a week after it started and at least 300 hectares of forest and grassland have been affected. The Philippine Air Force has already dropped tonnes of crushed ice onto the fire using helicopters to no effect.
Paje said officials were coordinating with the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology following a report that a sulphur deposit on Mt. Apo, the country’s highest peak, may be fuelling the fire.
He said other than tourism development, PAMBs must have their respective forest protection plan and allocate funds for the establishment of fire lines and other forest fire prevention activities like training for technical staff and volunteers.
During the start of President Benigno Aquino’s administration in 2010, among the laws that he enacted was a total ban on logging or cutting of forest trees as well as reforestation of denuded areas. This particular edict was enforced amid observations that the country had severely lost much of its natural forest.
As of December 31, 2015, around 1.3 million hectares have been planted with various species of forest trees and agroforestry crops under the National Greening Programme, according to a report by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
Earlier, experts said that the long dry spell experienced during an El Nino Southern Oscillation episode places forested areas more at risk to fires.
Paje has also instructed his regional directors to heighten their coordination with concerned local government units and people’s organisations to ensure the safety of people and forest vegetation, particularly in areas covered by the government’s National Greening Programme.
The Philippines has a total of 113 proclaimed protected areas, of which 84 are terrestrial with an area of 2.20 million hectares.
