Source : INQ7.net, Philippines, 09 Feb '05
By : Jeffrey Tupas
  

Geronimo Sequito, community environment and natural resources officer, said they were closely monitoring the towns of Tampakan, Banga, Polomolok, Tiboli, Tantangan, Tupi, and Lake Sebu. He said these towns need to be rehabilitated immediately to protect forest cover and wildlife.

The towns, he said, are among the 50 towns in Central Mindanao identified by the Regional Physical Framework Plan for 2004-2030 of the Regional Development Council as prone to soil erosion.

Sequito said rehabilitation and reforestation plans are underway to prevent erosion after South Cotabato Gov. Daisy Avance-Fuentes, who also heads the development council, issued an executive order urging local chief executives of the seven towns to act on the problem.

A National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) report showed that half of the towns in Central Mindanao are experiencing

moderate to severe soil erosion. This, the Neda report said, could obstruct the economic growth of the region.

Soil erosion is caused by lack of trees.

In Sarangani, at least six of the seven towns are also considered erosion-prone. These are the capital towns of Alabel, Maasim, Glan, Malungon, Malapatan and Maitum.

At least eight towns in Sultan Kudarat are also prone to soil erosion. These are the towns of Isulan, Lutayan, Lebak, Bagumbayan, Columbio, Esperanza, Kalamansig and Senator Ninoy Aquino.

Sequito said local government units are implementing community reforestation and rehabilitation programs in the 10 towns and a city of South Cotabato.

He also said that the implementation of a total log ban in the remaining virgin forest of Central Mindanao until 2030 can also help prevent the erosion.