IF it would mean effectively preventing from further degradation, such idea to make the mystical Mount Banahaw off limits permanently to the public must be highly thought about.
Considering the massive fire last week that ravaged some 50 hectares of forest and grasslands around the natural park, Environment and Natural Resources Sec. Ramon J. P. Paje’s suggestion is a bright solution in order to keep it as a protected area.
The good secretary notes that the recent fire, which also razed some 92 hectares of plantation within Mt. San Cristobal, was the third reported to have hit the Mounts Banahaw-San Cristobal
Protected Landscape since 2010 at the same year when two fires damaged portions of the protected area in San Pablo City in Laguna and Dolores town in Quezon, covering a total of 80 hectares.
It was learned that certain portions of the protected area has already been closed to the public until 2015 to allow the rehabilitation of its natural resources damaged by human activity.
Unfortunately, people have been able to slip past the cordons into the prohibited area.
Sec. Paje says suspects in the forest fire could face charges for violation of the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act, which prohibits the killing of wildlife species and destruction of their habitat.
Mount Banahaw is home to a rich biodiversity of endemic and indigenous plant and animal species. The mystical mountain is a famous site for trekkers and religious devotees during the Lenten season.
MALABON MAYOR HAILED
MALABON CITY residents have every reason to praise their mayor, Mayor Antolin ‘Lenlen’ Oreta III, for exerting much effort that made their long-time dream of a P150-million modern hospital a reality.
The low-key Mayor Oreta says it’s his duty to make this dream a reality for everyone as he notes that it’s imperative to have this ‘Bagong Pagamutang Bayan ng Malabon’ in order to effectively serve most of its constituents particularly those at the poor sector.
It’ll be eventually and officially called the Tito Oreta Memorial Hospital through a council’s legislation in honor of late Mayor Tito Oreta, the current mayor’s uncle, who originally sought for its establishment until his death in 2012 due to a lingering illness.
Councilor Paulo Oreta, the son of the late mayor and currently the president of the Liga ng mga Barangay, is equally gratified by the effort of his cousin (Mayor Len) for pushing various pro-poor and pro-people programs and projects that were initiated by his father including the hospital.
“Ang magagandang layunin at adhikain ni Mayor Tito Oreta at ng buong pamilyang Oreta para sa Malabon ay buong-buo na niyayakap at isinasabuhay ngayon ni Mayor Lenlen Oreta para sa ating lahat,” Councilor Oreta says.
Thankful over President Aquino’s support, Mayor Oreta says the ‘Bagong PBM’ will take the place of the old PBM which operation will be closed as soon as construction of the new three-storey hospital is completed and operational in two years’ time.
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