Chris V. Panganiban, Sr. of MindNews / Patricio P. Diaz Fellow – SAN FRANCISCO, Agusan del Sur (MindaNews / 31 August) — What used to be a critically endangered mountain with only 54 percent forest cover almost three decades ago is now teeming with greenery after years of effort to restore the 1,658-hectare Mt. Magdiwata watershed. Today, residents take pride in Mt. Magdiwata as a restored ecosystem, its forest cover almost reaching 100 percent. Since 1997, the San Francisco Water District (SFWD) has led a massive reforestation program to rehabilitate the vanishing forest, which is the only source of potable water for some 6,000 households in this rapidly growing town, now home to three shopping malls. SFWD initiated an intensive campaign to protect Magdiwata against encroachers, relying on Presidential Proclamation 282 signed by President Fidel Ramos in 1993, declaring the area a permanent watershed and forest reserve. The forest had been heavily denuded, with about 900 hectares turned into open grassland after decades of large-scale logging in the 1960s and 1970s, and unabated tree-cutting in the 1980s to supply sawmills. The presence of about 200 occupants, mostly farming on sloping terrains, worsened the degradation, leading to fears of a disaster similar to the Guinsaugon mudslide. Once considered sacred by the Manobo, Mt. Magdiwata’s forest had dwindled to 695 hectares by December 1997. However, nearly 30 years later, the watershed has been largely rehabilitated, with 97 percent forest cover, thanks to intensive reforestation. Wildlife has also returned, with settlers noting the resurgence of animals and birds. In July 2024, experts from Caraga State University conducted a comprehensive study of the mountain’s ecosystem, resulting in a 220-page report highlighting its rich biodiversity. The report notes the presence of 167 plant species, 47 bird species, and 132 volant mammals, including the rare Philippine Trogon, or Ibong Adarna. The restoration efforts faced challenges, including disputes with indigenous tribes over ancestral domain claims and opposition to development projects like a housing initiative in the watershed buffer zone. Despite these challenges, SFWD’s reforestation program has been successful, with the planting of thousands of trees and the engagement of local communities in conservation efforts. The project has also provided livelihood opportunities for residents, ensuring the long-term protection of the watershed. SFWD remains committed to preserving Mt. Magdiwata, ensuring a sustainable water supply for the town’s growing population. [Chris V. Panganiban / MindaNews. This story was produced under the Patricio P. Diaz Fellowship Program, supported by International Media Support (IMS) and co-funded by the European Union and the Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA)].
