For the past decades the Philippines is among the countries with the highest deforestation rates. According to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) the country has now only about seven million hectares of forest land left. The illegal logging has contributed to the rapid deforestation not to mention the continuous release of permits to big logging companies.
It is no wonder the country suffers from consistent floods and landslides all year round. According to the recent reports of National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDMC) about 262,107 families have lost their homes while about 1.355 million people have been affected. But this is only one of the many adverse effects of deforestation. Some negative consequences of it include disruption of water cycle, loss of biodiversity, and climate change.
Although log ban has been already implemented in some areas in the country however this seems does not stop illegal loggers and logging companies. Right now many environmentalist groups are asking the Aquino Administration to do something about the logging operations of the Surigao Development Corporation (SUDECOR) in Surgiao del Sur. This company is said to be operating a 76,000 hectare in Surigao del Sur which also includes some remaining virgin forests of Mindanao.
If the government will not do something to stop this kind of logging operations then in later time most of the Philippine forests will be destroyed. Over-exploitation of the country’s forests will not only ruin the country’s biodiversity but will also severely affect its socio-economic development. Environmental protection like reforestation must be done to restore the lost trees.
Tags: aquino administration, deforestation rates, department of environment and natural resources, disaster risk, environmentalist groups, illegal loggers, loss of biodiversity, philippine forests, rapid deforestation, virgin forests