Immediate signing of law protecting Mounts Banahaw, San Cristobal pushed

By Christina Mendez

MANILA, Philippines - Sen. Pia Cayetano has called for the immediate enactment of a legislative measure seeking to protect Mounts Banahaw and San Cristobal in Southern Tagalog, following reports that the two mystical mountains were desecrated by trekkers during the Lenten break despite a public entry ban enforced in the area since 2004.

“The President should immediately sign this bill to spare these mountains from further destruction and as a positive gesture to mark Earth Day,” she said of the measure, “An Act Declaring the Mountains of Banahaw and San Cristobal a Protected Landscape.”

The reconciled version of the Senate and House is set to be submitted for signing by President Arroyo after Congress ratified it before the Lenten break last March.

The bill’s principal authors are Cayetano and Quezon second district Rep. Proceso Alcala.

“While it is widely regarded as a sacred place, the mountains of Banahaw and San Cristobal have not been accorded respect and spared from human greed and exploitation. Some of the visitors to the place, including pilgrims who troop to these mountains during Holy Week, have failed to do their share to preserve its natural environment,” Cayetano said.

Cayetano said the public entry points to both mountains were closed and fenced off by the local Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) on March 9, 2004.

The ban, which was envisioned to last for five years, was prompted by the discovery of high concentrations of coliform in the mountain’s waters.

Tons of garbage were also being retrieved yearly, blamed on tourists and trekkers who dumped their waste indiscriminately.

The public ban was recently extended for another three years, or until 2012.

Since the ban’s enforcement, there have been evident signs of restoration of flora and fauna in the two mountains. The rafflesia, the biggest flower in the world, started to reappear.

Last year, it was also reported that water started flowing again to the once dried-out falls of Kristalino, Suplina and Salaming-Bubog.

Mounts Banahaw and San Cristobal cover 10,784 hectares and 10,900 hectares, respectively, and span the provinces of Laguna and Quezon.

The mountains were declared a protected area through Presidential Proclamation 411 in 2003. Its rich biodiversity includes 578 animal species and 56 plant species.

The whole area is a critical watershed that drains into Laguna de Bay and Tayabas. Its water systems support the Botocan hydroelectric power plant in Majayjay and Luisiana, Laguna and provide the water needs of at least one million people.