By Gemi Formaran April 4, 2020 Mounts Banahaw–San Cristobal Protected Landscape LUCENA CITY - Amid Coronavirus disease (COVID-19)...
April 4, 2020
Mounts Banahaw–San Cristobal Protected Landscape
LUCENA CITY - Amid Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) crisis, fear of volcanic eruption of Mt. Banahaw in Quezon province is now talked about by many residents near its slope following a massive landslide that was documented near its crater in Bgy. Concepcion, in Sariaya, Quezon.
The landslide with an estimated length of 300 to 400 feet and width of 50 to 60 meters was posted in the social media by village chief Casiano Magadia who alleged that he had reported the incident to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and Muninicipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO) but no action was taken by the two agencies.
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The portion of legendary Mt. Banahaw Quezon sideaffected by sudden landslide in
Brgy. Concepcion, Sariaya, Quezon. (Photo by Gemi Formaran) |
Marcuap was also heard mentioning about the smoke coming from the mountain that now brings fear to many residents.
DENR- Protected Area Superintendent Sally Pangan said that necessary action was taken by her office, contrary to the allegation of Magadia.
"In fact, I immediately coordinated on Thursday with Engr. Marcial Vito who heads the Phivolcs Seismic station based in Brgy. Ayuti in Lucban, Quezon,” said Pangan.
Pangan said she was assured by Engr. Marcial Vito, head of the Phivolcs and Seismic Station based in Lucban, Quezon that no seismic activity was monitored and recorded since March 23 within Mts. Banahaw and San Cristobal.
Pangan explained that the area has been prone to landslide even during summer.
"Firstly, because the area is a much vertical slope. Secondly, it has no vegetation that should have been protecting the soil from erosion. And lastly, what happened was a clear effect of climate change", Pangan said, adding that natural regeneration would be the best remedy.
She also clarified that what was seen during the landslide was dust and not smoke as alleged by Marcuap while documenting the incident.
"Normally, when a bulk of soil and rock roll down from the mountain, it automatically produces thick dusts. At first and far sight, it would appear as a smoke", Pangan said.
She said around one hectare of land in the mountain was badly affected by the landslide.
Pangan assured the residents that they have nothing to worry about because everything in the dormant mountain remains normal.
Long before the dreaded COVID-19 hit the country, most critical and significant parts of legendary Mt. Banahaw has already been locked- down to public.
With the strict implementation of Republic Act 9847 or Mt. Banahaw-San Cristobal Protected Landscape (MBSCPL) Act and Republic Act 11038 (Expanded NIPAS Act) no one is allowed to enter and stay in the areas within the so- called Strict Protection Zone (SPZ), except for those doing research works provided they are permitted by the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB).
"But after sixteen years of being closed to public, its good to see that MBSCPL which is a well protected area shows significant change although it has not yet totally recovered", said Sally Pangan, the Protected Area Superintendent for Banahaw and San Cristobal of the Department of Ennvironment and Natural Resources (DENR).
Last March 15, Pangan said the start of a temporary total closure of all areas within Mt. Banahaw and Mt. San Cristobal including those beyond SPZ was implemented by Mts. Banahaw-San Cristobal Protected Landscape (PAMO-MBSCPL) in compliance with Presidential Proclamation No. 922 “Declaring A State of Public Health Emergency, Throughout the Philippines” and Enhanced Community Quarantine.
With that, Pangan said the entire Mt. Banahaw and Mt. San which straddle in the towns of Sariaya, Candelaria, Dolores, Tayabas and Lucban in Quezon; and Majayjay, Liliw, Nagcarlan, San Pablo City and Rizal in Laguna was totally locked down.
She said government personnel manning checkpoints installed in all entry and exit points of MBSCPL see to it that no mountaineers, trekkers and pilgrims and other groups or individuals will be able to gain entry.
"But with that incident, the more we have to keep the area tight closed", Pangan said.
She called on the local government units especially those in the barangays being the leading frontliners that their enforcement of the lock down should be swift and strict.
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