23/04/2021
PALAWAN, BROOKE'S POINT, lines of tropical fruit seedlings were found planted in this forest clearing in sitio Bulho, Barangay Calasagen. The same was discovered by NGO para-enforcers while responding to reports of illegal logging and charcoal-making in the area. While failing to catch the chainsaw reponsible for a freshly-felled forest tree, NGO para-enforcers noticed newly planted Tropical Fruits such as Guyabano, Langka, Marang, and Coffee abounding the whole area. It is alleged that the area is already under a forest tenurial instrument and management. However, to whom was it awarded? Why did the government allow tropical fruits instead of indigeous/ endemic forest tree species? And why is logging and charcoal-making still clearing the remaining foliage of forests? Incidentally, the same is within the protected area of Mt. Mantalingahan, and should therefore have been subjected to natural regeneration instead of a tropical fruit plantation. Palawan's forest is steadily giving way to plantations. An ironic contribution to an Earth Day celebration.
