Tribal folk to secure Bulacan watershed

SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga, Philippines – Dumagat tribal folk will be tapped to guard the watershed areas of Angat and Ipo Dams in Norzagaray, Bulacan against illegal loggers.

Members of the Dumagat tribe live in the hinterlands of the Sierra Madre mountains.

The Sagip Sierra Madre Environmental Society Inc. (SSMESI) and the Bulacan Environment and Natural Resources Office (BENRO) have proposed the creation of an “Eco Tribal Army,” composed of Dumagat tribesmen, saying illegal loggers are now armed.

Martin Francisco, chairman of SSMESI, said reports showed that a big portion of the Ipo Dam watershed has become denuded due to illegal logging.

Last week, at least 103 pieces of illegally cut logs within the protected watershed areas in Sitio Binbit and Sitio Malataeng Kalsada in Barangay San Mateo in Norzagaray were confiscated by members of BENRO, National Power Corp.-Angat Watershed Area Team, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, 56th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army and SSMESI.

Chief Superintendent Edgar Ladao, Police Regional Office-3 director, also ordered Bulacan police provincial director Senior Superintendent Fernando Mendez to investigate reports that armed men were seen roaming in the area.