Law enforcers witness a "slash-and-burn" site just a kilometer away from one of the town's pristine waterfalls where tourists enjoy trekking and swimming on July 11, 2020. Adams tourism officer Anavic Medrano said the area is covered with cogon grass and it will be planted with banana saplings. (Lei Adriano)
By Leilanie G. Adriano (Staff Reporter)
Adams, Ilocos Norte—The
provincial government’s Environment and Natural Resources Office sounded the
alarm on the rampant practice of slash-and-burn farming in this eco-tourism
destination of the north.
During a tree-planting program on July 11, 2020 with the ENRO and
the Philippine National Police and a non-government organization participating,
ENRO chief Estrellla “Baby” Sacro expressed her dismay on the rampant practice
of slash-and-burn practice in this municipality, which she personally witnessed
during the said activity.
Overlooking a lush forest and streams that surround a population
of less than 2,000, or a total of 269 households, based on the latest survey,
the one-barangay town of Adams located east of Pagudpud has a wildlife-critical
habitat, which the Department of Environment and Natural Resources declared in
December 2013.
This covers a 3,250-hectare forest described as the “last
frontier of dipterocarp forest” in the province and home to several threatened
species like the country’s falconet, hanging parakeet, brown deer and warty
pig.
As stated in DENR Administrative Order No. 2013-23 signed by then
Environment Secretary Ramon Paje, the Adams Wildlife Critical Habitat should be
free from destructive activities like dumping of wastes, illegal occupation of
parts of the habitat, quarrying, mineral exploration and extraction including
burning and logging.
According to Mrs. Sacro, the threat of slash-and-burn technique,
or the clearing of forest land for agriculture involving the cutting of
vegetation and setting it alight, is “very alarming” as a developing country
like the Philippines is currently battling climate change.
“Adams, being one of the most beautiful places in Ilocos Norte
blessed with a picturesque scenery should be well taken care of, and protected
from damage to landscape and natural aesthetic,” said Ms. Sacro as she wrote a
letter on July 13, 2020 addressed to the
governor seeking his intervention to save Adams from further destruction.
According to Mrs. Sacro, Adams residents should refrain from the
cheap slash-and-burn practice and adopt some environment-friendly agriculture
practices to earn for a living.
The ENRO under the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte is currently on the forefront of leading green revolution program, urging all local residents to make all idle lots in the province to be planted with more fruit bearing trees and indigenous trees as a source of livelihood and at the same time, protect Ilocos Norte’s remaining forest reserved.
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