“Destroying rainforest for economic gain is like burning a Renaissance painting to cook a meal.”
This famous quote from the late American biologist and Pulitzer winner E. O. Wilson brings to mind the massive denudation and degradation of the country’s forests and watersheds through rapid urbanization, illegal logging, illegal mining, slash-and-burn farming, and even poaching.
According to the European Environment Agency (EEA) report, “Water-retention potential of Europe’s forests,” forests can soak up excess rainwater, preventing run-offs and damage from flooding. The report shows that water retention potential tends to increase along with the extent of forest cover in a water basin.
In the recent flooding, triggered by Severe Tropical Storm Paeng, President Marcos blamed deforestation for the flash floods and landslides in Maguindanao. Thus, he called on the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and non-governmental organizations to help in reforestation efforts in Maguindanao and urged residents to care for the trees.
Shortly after Typhoon Ulysses struck in November 2020, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) conducted a study and came up with a conclusion that the massive flooding in Metro Manila and neighboring areas was caused by rapid urbanization and increased build-up areas in the Marikina River Basin Land Cover. The Philippine Statistics Authority defines build-up areas as spaces of intensive use, with much of the land covered by structures. It includes cities, towns, villages, strip developments along highways, transportation, power, and communication facilities, and areas occupied by mills, shopping centers, industrial and commercial complexes, and institutions that may, in some instances, be isolated from urban areas.
All these studies and findings underscore how important forests and watersheds are in our ecosystem. Devastate it or abuse its use and we are in for a disaster.
With unabated forest devastation and incursions in our watersheds, no doubt the country continues to experience massive flooding whenever a storm strikes. Remember the catastrophic effects of flashfloods brought about by Tropical Storm Ondoy in September 2009, Super-Typhoon Rolly and Ulysses in November 2020, Severe Tropical Storm Maring in October 2021, and Typhoon Odette in December 2021?
With tropical storms becoming stronger and more frequent, it’s now time for all stakeholders—the government, the business sector, non-governmental organizations, and the public—to get their acts together in preserving our forests and watersheds to mitigate flooding and avoid further loss of lives and properties.
While it is necessary to keep the economy afloat, sustainable use of resources to attain progress is equally important for the future of the next generation.
We have to act responsibly now for tomorrow might be too late.