Mt. Maranat Assessment Report 2016

Assessment Report on the State of the Areas in and around Mount Maranat Prepared by a composite team comprising of members of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Sagip Sierra Madre Environmental Society, Incorporated, Sagip Kagubatan Para Sa Kinabukasan Corporation, Conquer Outdoor Equipment, National University Mountaineers, CLIMBER Group and the University of the Philippines Mountaineers Presented during a meeting on March 14, 2016 with the officials of the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office of Bulacan and with the members of Sagip Kagubatan Para Sa Kinabukasan Corporation, Maranat Environmental Society, Incorporated and the University of the Philippines Mountaineers

Background Mt. Maranat is situated within Ipo Watershed, a critical watershed that supplies Metro Manila with water. It is under the political jurisdiction of Norzagaray, Bulacan. Under Presidential Proclamation No. 391 dated April 10, 1978, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) were mandated to coordinate and implement forest management of this mountain since it is within Ipo Watershed. South of Mt. Maranat are the the Municipality of Rodriguez (Montalban), Rizal and the City of San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan. Its main attractions are its numerous waterfalls. Mt. Maranat has an elevation of 845 masl but most hikers do not go there to reach the summit. They only go there to enjoy the waterfalls and to camp in Tatay Nestor Altamia’s backyard which is at 396 masl (meters above sea level). The campsite in Tatay Nestor’s place and the waterfalls of Mt. Maranat can be accessed through various trails. Most of these trails have their jump-off point at Licao-licao in Barangay San Isidro, Rodriguez (Montalban), Rizal. Hikers from Metro Manila and nearby municipalities usually start their trek in Licao-licao as this is accessible via public transport. The “Traditional Trail” is the easiest, shortest and most popular trail. The average hiking time for this trail is 2 hours. This trail crosses Ipo River just before reaching Tatay Nestor’s place. During the dry season, the water in the river is more than 3 feet deep. On rainy days, crossing this river can be quite dangerous because the water becomes very deep and the current becomes very strong. But in spite of the danger and advice from concerned mountaineers not to cross when the water is high, some hikers still dare to cross the river even during typhoons by using the improvised “zipline” ropes installed by the locals and some hikers. On days with less stormy weather, there are some who cross the river using ropes through methods that are questionable even for water safety experts. Other visitors who visit the summit of Mt. Balagbag also go to Mt. Maranat via the trail that hikers named “Sirko/Sirkulo Balentong.” This is a rocky gully that usually gets dangerous 2016 Assessment Report on the State of the Areas in and around Mount Maranat

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during the rainy season as this becomes a channel for converging rain water. Hikers who want a more strenuous trip to Mt. Maranat use the “Balagbag Loop” trail which contours through the southwestern and western slopes of Mt. Balagbag until it reaches the river crossing at the shallow parts of Ipo River where the depth of the water is about 1.5 feet or less. From here, it is another long hike through steep trails and ravines along the northern bank of Ipo River to reach the waterfalls of Mt. Maranat. Other distant trails leading to Mt. Maranat pass through Sitio Ilas in Barangay Macaingalan, Rodriguez, Rizal.

This is the “Traditional Trail” from Licao-licao to to Tatay Nestor’s house in Mt. Maranat. This is the trail used by the team that conducted the Assessment Climb.

Mt. Maranat gained popularity in 2013 when hikers started to post their photos in social networking sites and bloggers shared their itineraries in the internet for everyone to see. Prior to that year, there have been visitors to Mt. Maranat but they were not as numerous as the hikers and campers from mid-2013 to 2015. Some say it is because of Tatay Nestor’s very accommodating attitude towards hikers that many came to visit his place on a regular basis. Some even stay there for a whole month or even longer. All the necessary amenities to make camping easier and more comfortable are available there. The ease and accessibility of Tatay Nestor’s place also made Mt. Maranat a famous hiking destination among outdoor enthusiasts. Tatay Nestor’s caring nature made him popular among hikers to the point that some abused his generosity and hospitality. Sadly, there are reports that some campers bring illicit substances like marijuana, shabu and even cocaine. They use these substances for recreational purposes without the knowledge of Tatay Nestor. Aside from these, bottles of alcohol are also consumed on an almost regular basis by most campers who stay there overnight. There are also complaints about the noise made by boisterous campers until the wee hours of the morning. These incidents of unruly behavior by some hikers are similar to what is happening frequently in the summit campsite of the adjacent mountain, Mt. Balagbag. But, in spite of the delinquency exhibited by some hikers, there are also those who are responsible and mature enough to turn the ugly face of the camping experience in Mt. Maranat into one that is purpose-driven. These are the people who are really close to Tatay Nestor and treat each other as one big happy family. They 2016 Assessment Report on the State of the Areas in and around Mount Maranat

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even call each other “Kap” which is short for “kapatid.” For them, the objectives for camping in Mt. Maranat should be to keep the campsite clean and orderly and to restore the forest by doing tree planting and tree nurturing activities. They took it upon themselves to pick up the trash left behind by irresponsible hikers so that these can be brought back to the city for proper disposal. They set up rules and printed them on tarpaulin posters in the hope that all would follow but because entry was unregulated back then, it was difficult to make everyone cooperate. Just like violators in urban areas, a lot of hikers still needed to be disciplined. Tatay Nestor who is originally from Mindanao came to settle in his present location in 2007. He knows that he cannot own the land because he is not a Dumagat who has ancestral domain over Ipo Watershed. Because of that, he just assumed “stewardship” of the area after a former settler gave him the “rights” to the land which the DENR does not recognize. Just like other “rights” being sold in Ipo Watershed, these transactions do not have a legal basis according to the DENR. This is one of the many reasons why illegal settlers continue to encroach Ipo Watershed and why forest areas are being turned to residential and agricultural lands. Tatay Nestor’s place in Mt. Maranat is a kalaanan area as evidenced by the regenerating vegetation. Kalaanan is the stage of land disturbance that follows kaingin. In a kalaanan area, pioneer species of plants and trees take over the bare land. According to Tatay Nestor, when he came to the place, numerous decades-old trees were already cut down illegally and were either turned to lumber or charcoal. He settled there to build a house for his family, plant fruit-bearing trees and raise livestock for their livelihood and sustenance. The trees planted by Tatay Nestor were similar to those non-native trees recommended by the proponents of the DENR’s Usufruct Program in 2004 before the contracts were terminated because of its failure to solve the problem of deforestation. Non-native fruitbearing trees like coffee, cacao, langka and guyabano were chosen to be planted because of their economic value but based on the joint study by the Forest Management Bureau of the DENR and MWSS in 2004, planting these fruit-bearing trees for economic purposes became the sparkplug for more kaingin activities to take place as illegal settlers wanted to convert the natural forests into tree plantations and fruit orchards. When mountaineers who regularly visit Mt. Maranat learned the urgent need to reforest this denuded area in Ipo Watershed in 2013, they were able to shift the focus on planting exotic or non-native trees to planting native species that can be found within the watershed. They established communication ties with other volunteers from Singles for Christ (SFC) Bulacan Chapter and the University of the Philippines Mountaineers (UPM) who have been doing reforestation work in Ipo Watershed since 2008 and 2007 respectively. In February 2013, this group of volunteer mountaineers who regularly plant trees in Mt. Maranat formed an organization and they named themselves “Sagip Kagubatan Para sa Kinabukasan” or SK. Currently, SK is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) with Edwin Ramos Sta. Maria as their Founding Chairman. Together with Tatay Nestor, this group is actively engaged in the reforestation efforts in Mt. Maranat.

In 2010, before Mt. Maranat became popular among outdoor enthusiasts, a group of hikers based in San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan helped Tatay Nestor construct a flush-type toilet in his backyard that is more or less 200 feet away from the creek leading to the waterfalls. A makeshift septic tank was dug near the toilet. The solid boulders underneath the excavated earth became the flooring for the septic tank. Back then, this might not have posed a problem to the quality of the groundwater underneath the toilet because the original intended users were only a handful of people. But when campers started to pour in by the hundreds during weekends, the impact of this human waste disposal system became questionable especially because no clearance was obtained from the MWSS and DENR to build this toilet which the hikers have been using. In addition to that, the ground near the toilet was wet most of the time because it is within the proximity of the shower area that is also adjacent to the toilet. It could be possible that decomposition of fecal matter would take longer because of the wet condition of the soil and the amount of human waste deposited in the septic tank. 2016 Assessment Report on the State of the Areas in and around Mount Maranat

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The water from the toilet and the shower area would make it easier for the contaminants to leach quicker to the groundwater and eventually to the waterfalls as water travels faster through the nooks and crannies of solid boulders below the ground. Last November 2015, the DENR implemented the no permit-no climb policy, which decreased the number of overnight campers. As such, the potential of the toilet to contaminate nearby water sources is much lower. Because of the exponential rise in the number of visitors to Mt. Maranat starting in 2013 and the negative effects of mass tourism, alarms have been raised by a number of concerned mountaineers. On November 3, 2015, a meeting was held by the DENR, MWSS, World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Manila Water Corporation, Incorporated (MWCI) and Maynilad Water Services, Incorporated (MWSI) at the Main Office of the MWSS in Balara, Quezon City to discuss the situation in Ipo Watershed, particularly in Mt. Maranat. The UP Mountaineers (UPM) was invited by these major stakeholders to share their insights and observations on the state of Mt. Maranat. It was agreed upon during the meeting that some DENR personnel would be sent to visit Tatay Nestor’s place to check the veracity of the reports. In the succeeding days, the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer (PENRO) of DENR Bulacan held several meetings with the members of SK which Tatay Nestor is a member of. On the third week of November, PENRO Celia Esteban invited other hiking groups to their office in Malolos, Bulacan to have initial discussions on the state of Mt. Maranat. On November 23, 2015, volunteers from different mountaineering organizations met each other face to face. Issues were sorted out in order to come up with solutions to the problems hounding Mt. Maranat. During this meeting, everyone present was in agreement to schedule an Assessment Climb in Mt. Maranat to identify the current problems and to give recommendations on how to collaboratively address the issues. On December 22, 2015, another meeting was set to plan for the climb. On the same day, Mr. Roger Encarnacion, the Community Environment and Natural Resources Officer (CENRO) of Tabang, Bulacan informally named the group of volunteer mountaineers and the personnel from DENR who would be participating in the climb as Sagip Ipo Watershed Assessment Team (SIWAT). The Assessment Climb was then scheduled to be conducted on January 23-24, 2016.

The Problems of Mt. Maranat The problems that will be discussed in this report will be divided into three parts. The first part will tackle the deterioration of the forests. The second part will discuss the pressure brought about the communities in and around Mt. Maranat and the third will talk about the pressure from tourist activities. Under each heading, the findings and the observations that the Assessment Team made will be discussed. The corresponding recommendations will follow each finding and observation. A. Deterioration of the Forests According to the joint study by the MWSS and the Forest Management Bureau of the DENR in 2004, around 120-150 hectares of land in Mt. Maranat are estimated to be damaged by massive kaingin activities. More than 10 years after this study was done, it appears that more areas are being deforested just by looking at recent satellite photos provided by Google Earth. Until SK started planting trees in 2013, no reforestation effort was made in this mountain. Several causes of the deforestation in Mt. Maranat and other parts of Ipo Watershed were identified by studies sanctioned by the government, as well as independent undertakings

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such as the ones conducted by UPM in partnership with Sagip Sierra Madre Environmental Society, Incorporated (SSMESI) and the Mountaineering Federation of the Philippines, Incorporated (MFPI) in 2008, 2009 and 2014. A recent ecological assessment of Ipo Watershed in 2014 funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Biodiversity and Watersheds Improved for Stronger Economy and Ecosystem Resilience Program (B+WISER) also points to the same reasons for the loss of the vegetative cover of the watershed. The causes of the degradation of the forests are all man-made and these are discussed below. 1. Deforestation caused by illegal loggers, charcoal-makers and forest arsonists Prior to the implementation of the no permit-no climb policy by the DENR, hikers would encounter charcoal porters along the trail on an almost daily basis. Sometimes, timber poachers would also be seen. In spite of the regular presence of mountaineers in Mt. Maranat for more than 2 years after it became a popular outdoor destination, illegal settlers were still not deterred from continuing on with their destructive livelihood of logging, kaingin and charcoal-making. In fact, when hikers post their summer landscape photos online, newly burnt forests would sometimes be seen. Even when they just take selfies of themselves, kaingin areas would still be seen in the background. On January 23 and 24, 2016, Sagip Ipo Watershed Assessment Team (SIWAT) did not encounter any charcoal porter. This was unusual according to the mountaineers who regularly visit Mt. Maranat. Their presumption was that someone might have leaked information to the locals that an assessment climb organized by the DENR would take place on the said dates, which is why the porters did not go about their usual activities. The only sacks of charcoal documented by SIWAT were those they saw along the trail near the “Mother Falls” northeast of Tatay Nestor’s house. There were around two charcoal kilns in the area and about 4 sacks of newly produced charcoal.

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This is the route taken by SIWAT in the afternoon of January 23, 2016. The team started at Tatay Nestor’s house and trekked through the river until they reached the “Mother Falls.” From there, they went back to Tatay Nestor’s house passing through the trail used by charcoal porters.

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This is one of the charcoal kilns documented by SIWAT on the first day of the Assessment Climb.

As expected, days after the assessment climb was conducted, charcoal porters and timber poachers were seen by mountaineers once again doing their normal routine in spite of the establishment of outposts/checkpoints by the DENR.

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RECOMMENDATIONS a. Poverty is one of the primary reasons why locals engage in the illegal activity of turning forest trees to charcoal and lumber. Alternative livelihoods that do not rely on the unsustainable extraction forest resources should be provided to settlers and this should be done outside Ipo Watershed or in buffer areas within the watershed. b. Strict enforcement of the law should be done on a regular basis. The budget and manpower for forest protection should be increased. It has been more than a decade and this is still the chief complaint why our authorities cannot curb illegal activities within the watershed. c. A clearer legal framework for prosecuting illegal loggers, timber poachers and perpetrators of other such unauthorized activities within the watershed should be established. Partnership with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Philippine National Police (PNP), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Commission on Human Rights (CHR) and the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) should be done so that entrapment operations to catch the masterminds of the illegal logging activities can be executed. d. Transition points for the transport of charcoal sacks should be identified and regularly monitored. Some stores even sell charcoal to the public out in the open. It is a known fact that some stores and houses in Licao-licao serve as depots for the sacks of charcoal produced from Mt. Maranat and nearby mountains. The charcoal industry is thriving because of the connivance of store owners, middlemen and possibly some barangay officials who are aware of the law but disregard them. Middlemen who own closed vans and tricycles operate at night when there are no DENR personnel to apprehend them. With these key players out of the picture, charcoal production could possibly decrease.

Images above were taken prior to the Assessment Climb but the trails are still being used by people who transport charcoal from the forests to the markets

e. Mountaineers can be tapped to provide documentation of the forest destruction they witness in Mt. Maranat. Information collected by hikers will hopefully help forest authorities come up with plans to control illegal activities. 2016 Assessment Report on the State of the Areas in and around Mount Maranat

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f.

Education and awareness campaigns will help local people value healthy forests more. These can be done in elementary and secondary schools near Mt. Maranat. Non-government organizations (NGO) can help in this area. Even signages and billboards that inform people about the rules and regulations inside the watershed can serve as educational tools for the locals especially the children whose minds are still malleable and may be influenced to conserve and protect the forests when they grow up. With these billboards set up, locals might think that the DENR is serious in doing their business of protecting the forests. People who get to read the penalties and the possibility of being imprisoned for violating the laws might think twice before engaging in illegal activities. Texts on the billboard should be in Filipino and there should be accompanying graphic symbols/illustrations so everyone including those who cannot read can understand. This is a sample of a billboard that the authorities can erect in hotspots like in front of stores that are known for keeping and selling charcoal. The contents and design of this billboard still need improvement.

2. Conversion of forests into agricultural lands Slash-and burn farming or kaingin has been employed by the locals in Ipo Watershed for a number of years already and it remains as a problem that perennially hounds the authorities. Locals engage in this illegal activity to grow crops that they can sell in the market for income. On the first day the Assessment Climb, SIWAT met some farmers carrying sacks of kamote on their way to Licao-licao from Nanay Julma’s sari-sari store. On the second day, other farmers headed for the talipapa in Tungtong were also seen with sacks of their produce.

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Cornfields and vegetable patches were also seen by the members of SIWAT along the way from the “Mother Falls” to Tatay Nestor’s house. It is estimated that the plantation for crops were wider than 15 basketball courts on the eastern side of the and more than 10 on the western side. The problem with agricultural lands inside a watershed is that they cannot control erosion like how natural rainforests do. As forest cover is lost, soil erosion and siltation increase thereby affecting the quality and quantity of water that is stored in Ipo Dam.

This is one of the cornfields in Mt. Maranat documented by SIWAT. Years ago, this was forest land.

RECOMMENDATIONS a. As mentioned previously, poverty is the driving force that pushes people to destroy the forests to sustain their needs. Therefore, economic factors should be addressed first as they are one of the root cause of deforestation. The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) can help intervene in this problem. b. Because Ipo Watershed is classified as a forest reserve and because it is a critical watershed that supplies Metro Manila with water, kaingin should be strictly banned inside the watershed. Kaingin is actually more destructive than logging as young and mature trees alike are burned in the former whereas only mature trees are cut in the latter. Illegal settlers whose idea of farming is to burn whole mountains bare should be relocated outside the watershed. It might help if fences are built in critical areas in the watershed where no human activity should be allowed.

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3. Introduction of non-native species of trees Numerous tree planting activities have already been undertaken in various parts of Ipo Watershed. Unfortunately, species that are not native to the Philippines like mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla), Melina (Gmelina arborea), Auri (Acacia auriculuformis), coffee and cacao are still being planted in Ipo Watershed particularly in the side of Mt. Balagbag near Mt. Maranat. These exotic species of trees not only contribute to biodiversity loss, but also attract timber poachers as they grow fast and are the lumber of choice for charcoal makers. Exotic species also take away the resources, such as space, soil nutrients and water, that should ideally be used by native species. Because of this displacement, the younger generations of Filipinos are no longer aware of what our Philippine trees are. Another problem that is associated with the introduction of exotic species is the threat of invasion. Some species tend to be invasive as they hinder the growth and proliferation of native plants within their vicinity once they start growing. In some parts of Mt. Balagbag, reforestation projects use only one species. There are some areas along the Balagbag-Maranat trail wherein only Auri trees are planted. RECOMMENDATIONS a. Heed the call of the Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB) of the DENR to promote the planting of native trees to bring back the original species of plants and animals that were once thriving in Mt. Maranat. Native species of insects, birds, reptiles and mammals have evolved with native species of trees for millions of years and it may be difficult for these animals to adapt to newcomers that are not from the Philippines. b. Consult plant experts who actively advocate the use of native species for forest restoration projects. The Rain Forest Restoration Intiative (RFRI), Haribon Foundation and the Philippine Native Plants and Conservation Society, Incorporated (PNPCSI) are some of the organizations that can help guide volunteers in selecting the appropriate species for reforestation and agroforestry. Native trees are good for Mt. Maranat because there is less likelihood that they will become invasive. They also possess the natural ability to recover from damage caused by diseases, pests and even turbulent weather. Native trees will help will help bring back the natural habitats of many species of native plants, animals and especially the pollinators of many food crops in nearby areas. B. Pressure from Communities in and around Mt. Maranat

1. Illegal settlement The original settlers in Ipo Watershed are the Dumagat indigenous people. Their ancestors have lived in the mountains for generations. Even before Ipo Dam was built, they were there already. When roads were built in Mt. Balagbag, people from different provinces started coming in. Most came because of economic reasons while some probably came from war-torn areas in Mindanao. Most locals residing within the boundaries of Ipo Watershed are informal settlers. Because they know that they have no legal right to be there and that only the Dumagats have ancestral domain over Ipo Watershed, some illegal settlers claim that they are Dumagats when in fact, they are not. They say this hoping that when the government finally decides to relocate informal settlers, they would not be included.

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Residential areas that are actually illegal settlements within Ipo Watershed pose some problems to the integrity of the forests. The waste disposal in these areas is problematic since residents just throw their trash anywhere. Some settlers defecate directly in streams and rivers while others have their own toilets and latrines. However, the effects of these human waste disposal systems need further study. Household pets like cats which are actually not native to the Philippines also have a negative impact on the other animals living in the remaining forests. The BMB of the DENR advised against the introduction of cats in protected and forested areas as it is proven that cats kill native animals like small birds and reptiles. One of the functions of birds in the forest is that they act as natural reforestation agents. When birds are killed by domestic cats, there will be less of them left to disperse seeds and reforest the denuded areas. Livestock farming is also not allowed because Ipo Watershed is not classified as an agricultural area. However, some settlers still raise goats, chickens and pigs within the watershed. Though it was not seen during the assessment climb, there are reports that wildlife poaching still happen in some areas of Ipo Watershed. Monkeys, birds and reptiles are taken away from their natural habitat to be kept as pets or to be sold for profit. Usually, these animals are kept in cages found in illegal settlements in Ipo Watershed and some houses in Mt. Balagbag.

These are photos of captured animals being kept in houses in Barangay San Isidro in Mt. Balagbag. These were taken a year ago by concerned mountaineers. The monkey can be found in one of the houses in front of the Grotto in Lica-licao.

As illegal settlements expand, consumption of forest resources also increases. More people will need more lumber to construct houses and more charcoal to cook their food. This puts undue strain on the remaining forests. When the population of illegal settlers increases because of high birth rate and because of the unabated influx of migrants, the forests might not be able to cope up with the demand for forest resources. The forests can only sustain so much. On the day of the assessment climb, several houses were seen on the slopes of Mt. Balagbag that is inside Ipo Watershed. In Mt. Maranat, there were also two houses seen located north of Tatay Nestor’s house. 2016 Assessment Report on the State of the Areas in and around Mount Maranat

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This is one of the houses located north of Tatay Nestor’s house. The settler who lives here is most probably the one who made the charcoal kiln just meters away from the house. Notice the previously deforested area on the lower part of the hill in the background.

RECOMMENDATIONS a. While relocation of settlers who do not have the right to be inside the watershed might be the ultimate solution, it is a task that is easier said than done. Coordination with other government agencies and NGOs should be made for a smooth and peaceful relocation procedure. The offices that might be able to help are the Local Government Units (LGUs) near Mt. Maranat, National Housing Authority (NHA), NEDA, DSWD, PNP, AFP, NCIP, CHR, Habitat for Humanity, Gawad Kalinga and others that focus on the welfare of marginalized Filipinos. Settlers may be relocated outside Ipo Watershed or within buffer zones in the watershed. For those who will stay inside the watershed, a strict monitoring system of the residents should be set in place so that the government can ensure they no longer go back to non-buffer zones. Entry from outside should also be controlled. b. DENR and MWSS should set community dialogues with the local people and the barangay officials to educate them about the status of Ipo Watershed. It has to be made clear to the settlers inside watershed that their activities greatly affect the water supply of Metro Manila. The settlers have to understand that there will come a time when they might not initially approve of the actions the government will be taking because these directly affect their livelihood but they have to realize that what the control measures are for the greater good. Focus Group Discussions (FGD) should also be conducted with the members and leaders of the communities so they themselves will be able to come up with ways to help solve the problems of Ipo Watershed. People with background in community organizing will be able to help achieve this goal.

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2. Improper land use Some people living within Ipo Watershed are not aware that it is a forest reserve where settlement is not allowed. They think that the land in Ipo Watershed can be used for agricultural and residential purposes, which is why buying and selling of “rights” are rampant especially in Mt. Balagbag. Some may be aware that settling and agricultural tilling are not allowed in Ipo Watershed but they just disregard the law. RECOMMENDATIONS a. Education and awareness campaign should be done to help the settlers understand the value of the forests. They have to understand that they must support the protection and conservation efforts for Ipo Watershed. b. The LGU and barangay officials should inform the communities in and around Mt. Maranat that buying and selling of land within Ipo Watershed do not have a legal basis. They should also know where the boundary of Ipo Watershed is. Maps showing different land use zones should be shown to them so that they will come to know what human activities are permitted in each land zone in Ipo Watershed. 3. Reforestation scams While evidence that reforestation areas are deliberately burned is hard to obtain, it cannot be denied that this is actually happening on the slopes of Mt. Balagbag facing Mt. Maranat. Some locals report deliberate cutting and burning of trees to make way for new reforestation projects that are a source of income for some unscrupulous personalities operating inside the watershed. As it turns out, privately funded reforestation drives have become a source of livelihood for some settlers. They charge a fee for their labor in assisting private groups in their reforestation activities, while at the same time unscrupulously clearing new areas to encourage more reforestation activities which will ensure their future income. On the way to Mt. Maranat during the assessment climb, a wide area of previously reforested land along the trail on the slopes of Mt. Balagbag was noted to be razed by fire. It is estimated that the burned area is about the size of 35 basketball courts. Forest burning like this has been observed to occur annually in that same area in Mt. Balagbag.

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Notice the people on the trail wearing white and blue. They are the team of DENR personnel who accompanied the volunteer mountaineers during the assessment climb. Take note also of the horizontal lines left by the unburned cogon grass. These are pathways made during previous tree planting activities so that the tree planters can easily reach the holes dug for the seedlings.

The Team of DENR personnel taking photos of the kaingin using a camera attached to a multi-rotor drone

RECOMMENDATIONS a. DENR should provide stakeholders and other volunteer groups with a map of the different reforestation areas that are financially supported by other groups. The volunteers will be able to help them monitor the status of the reforestation areas. By doing so, DENR will have more eyes and ears on the ground. b. People’s Organization (PO) who have contracts with the DENR should provide regular status reports. Copies of these reports should be shared with other stakeholders for verification.

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4. Threats of violence from the locals because of the decline of visitors When Mt. Maranat became popular in 2013, the number of hikers gradually increased. This provided additional income for the locals living outside Ipo Watershed. This income was in the form of guide fees for barangay-registered tourist guides and transportation fares for drivers and operators of tricycles and jeepneys. Store owners and vendors who sold food and refreshments along the way to Mt. Maranat also benefited from the tourists. The year 2014 and 2015 could be considered as the peak years for mass tourism in Maranat Falls. However, when DENR started to regulate the number of visitors to Mt. Maranat by implementing the no permit-no climb policy, most of those who earned money from tourism reacted negatively because their incomes decreased all of a sudden. There was a report by Edwin Ramos Sta. Maria of SK that heads of Baranggay San Isidro paid him a visit in his house in Licao-licao bringing bladed weapons as if to intimidate him. They were there because they want to complain about the sharp decline in the number of tourists. They were then advised to air their concern to the appropriate authorities.

RECOMMENDATIONS a. DENR should continue the regulation it has implemented for Mt. Maranat and Mt. Oriod. The locals will hopefully be able to adjust sooner or later because there was once a time when there were no visitors to Mt. Maranat. b. Dialogues and FGDs with the members and leaders of the barangays surrounding Mt. Maranat should be scheduled so that they will be able to understand why tourism is being regulated. They have to know what has happened in other popular hiking destinations were tourism is unregulated. Cooperation among the barangay, DENR and other stakeholders will likely ensue when they make tourism plans together. C. Pressure from Tourist Activities in Mt. Maranat Prior to the implementation of the no permit-no entry policy of the DENR, hikers in Mt. Maranat would number to 100-250 during regular weekend and up to 300 during long weekends. During the celebration of the EDSA People Power Revolution on February 25, 2016, it was estimated that more than 100 people visited Mt. Maranat. This is greater than 30, the number initially agreed upon by SIWAT and DENR to be the maximum number of visitors to be allowed to set foot on Mt. Maranat for one day. It is most likely that majority of them did not secure a permit from the DENR. Garbage coming from both locals and tourists is the most common problem associated with the unregulated entry of people to Mt. Maranat. They leave their trash in the campsite, in the tarils and on the boulders of Maranat Falls. Another negative effect of mass tourism is the noise created by campers in the remaining forests. On the weekend of the assessment climb, because entry was only granted to SIWAT, only the sounds of nature prevailed. Different kinds of birds were easily seen as they seem not to be wary of the few mountaineers present in the campsite. They could go nearer to Tatay Nestor’s house probably because there was not much commotion. In fact, a woodpecker, the

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Luzon Flameback, was easily spotted flying around the trees just meters away from Tatay Nestor’s house. This is an indication that with fewer people, birds become less edgy.

1. Illegal entry The assessment climb was conducted more than a month after the DENR announced its policy on not allowing mountaineers to visit Mt. Maranat and Mt. Oriod without permission from them. Even if a lot of mountaineers know this regulation already, there are still some hikers and tourists from nearby municipalities who do not abide by this regulation by the DENR. They continue to visit Maranat Falls without obtaining a permit. On the first day of the assessment climb, SIWAT even encountered a small group of hikers headed for Maranat falls in the junction of the “Traditional Trail” and the new trail made by the locals coming from the summit of Mt. Balagbag. The hikers were accompanied by a tourist guide from Baranggay San Isidro and they do not have a DENR permit. The sad thing about this is that baranggay officials from San Isidro allow hikers to go to Mt. Maranat even if the mountain is no longer under their jurisdiction. They still allow hikers without a permit from the DENR to go to Mt. Maranat. They encourage visitors to go to Mt. Maranat because it is additional income for their registered tour guides. Tour guides even offer hikers to pass through the “backdoor” trail going to Maranat Falls after they visit the summit of Mt. Balagbag. They established this new trail to evade the DENR personnel manning the outposts in the “Traditional Trail.” The DENR has already placed two billboards in Licao-licao stating that hikers need to secure a permit first before going to the mountains inside Ipo Watershed but the baranggay officials seem not to support this move. Mountaineers who are members of SK have also noted that the deputized forest guards were not always present in their assigned outposts. Because of their absence, hikers without permit are able to easily enter Ipo Watershed without getting caught. RECOMMENDATION a. Dialogues and FGDs with members and leaders of the barangays surrounding Mt. Maranat should be set together with the DENR, MWSS, volunteer mountaineers and other stakeholders so that everyone will understand why there is a need to regulate the number of visitors to Mt. Maranat and its waterfalls. All should understand the concept of carrying capacity. This is important because it will serve as a guide to the limit of the number of visitors that will be allowed for a particular location at a given time. However, determining the carrying capacity of the campsite and the waterfalls in Mt. Maranat is not the final solution to the problem. The pressure from the volume of visitors will not end with the established carrying capacity. People will still come in droves and implementing a visitor flow management is needed. Visitor flow management that is used by theme parks and museums may also be applied in outdoor destinations like Mt. Maranat. b. To effectively regulate the entry of hikers, forest guards should always be present in their outposts especially during weekends and holidays. c. In addition to the outpost currently used by forest rangers in Mt. Balagbag, DENR should set up another outpost in the junction between the “Traditional Trail” and the new “backdoor” trail made by the locals. This junction is located near the fire line made by the forest rangers in a reforestation area in Mt. Balagbag. This is where tour guides bring hikers

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without DENR permit so they can avoid being seen by the deputized forest guards. d. Policies should be formulated by the Department of Tourism (DOT), DENR, MWSS and LGU so that hikers will know what to follow when they visit Mt. Maranat. These government agencies can learn from what their counterparts did in Mt. Pamintinan Protected Landscape in Rodriguez, Rizal. The policies may include the requirements to get the permit, visiting hours, maximum number of visitors, methods of registration, guide fees, blacklist of violators and more. e. Information and Education Campaign (IEC) via social media and other means will help outdoor enthusiasts be updated to the current rules and regulations for Mt. Maranat and Mt. Oriod. The PENRO has an official Facebook Page and this can be utilized to make hikers aware of the policies of DENR. f. The Dumagats of Sitio Karahume should also be trained as tourist guides for Mt. Maranat since they have ancestral domain in Ipo Watershed. Guides should not just come from the settlers in Mt. Balagbag but also from the original inhabitants of the mountain, the Dumagats. g. To instill discipline among erring hikers, the DENR should apprehend violators of the no permit-no climb policy and impose appropriate sanctions. Irresponsible hikers do not respect the law because they believe that they can get away from breaking it. 2. Improper waste disposal Trash has been a perennial problem anywhere in the Philippines and Mt. Maranat is spared from this. Trash seen along the trails going to Mt. Maranat is not only from hikers but also from locals as well. Trash left in the campsite is no longer a problem since Tatay Nestor is now strict in reminding visitors to bring back their garbage to the city. Volunteer mountaineers are also now doing regular clean ups in the waterfalls so the trash left by irresponsible hikers is properly disposed of. On the last day of the assessment climb, some members of SIWAT noted burned bamboo sticks and tree branches left on the trail at the southern bank of Sapang Ipo. From their appearance on the ground, they were most likely used as fuel for a makeshift stove to cook or heat food. Though these used materials are biodegradable, leaving them on the trail goes against the Leave No Trace (LNT) Principles that guide mountaineers on how to conduct themselves outdoors. The last group who were seen to pass by that area along the trail was the group of DENR personnel who participated in the assessment climb. Aside from the bamboos and tree branches, one newly opened can of sardines was also seen left on the ground.

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Branches and sticks used for making fire were seen along the trail in the southern bank of Ipo River. If the fire users followed the Leave No Trace Principles, they would have scattered the the unused wood to keep the area as natural looking as possible.

RECOMMENDATIONS a. Tourist guides will benefit from undergoing a training program from reputable trainers. Being educated about the LNT Principles will help both tourist guides and forest guides the outdoor ethics being practiced by responsible mountaineers. They should serve as role models for the tourists b. Accreditation by the DENR and DOT will ensure that tourist guides are well equipped in performing their roles and responsibilities in maintaining order and cleanliness in the trails, campsite and waterfalls of Mt. Maranat. Tourist guides can reprimand hikers who throw their trash anywhere. They can also be the ones to check whether hikers bring down their own garbage. c. Orientation for all hikers before they start their trek to Mt. Maranat will be able to make them more aware of the do’s and don’ts. This can be conducted by volunteer mountaineers based in Mt. Balagabag or by officials from the DENR or LGU. Funding can come from private sponsors or the government.

Summary All the aforementioned recommendations can only be applied effectively and efficiently if a Management Plan is made for Ipo Watershed by all the concerned stakeholders. Without it, all protection, restoration and conservation efforts for the watershed will be patchy and uncoordinated and they may end up being useless. DENR and MWSS should turn over the management of Ipo Watershed to a responsible Resource Manager under their strict 2016 Assessment Report on the State of the Areas in and around Mount Maranat

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oversight. Since any management plan can only be as effective as the Resource Manager concerned, selecting one that has good track record is vital. Forest protection is the function of resource management and the responsibility of the Resource Manager. Other stakeholders can help in the reforestation work Ipo Watershed under the supervision of the Resource Manager. In the meantime, while there is no Management Plan yet for Ipo Watershed, mountaineers should continue to work with DENR. They should make a priority list of the problems they can address together. They should make plans collaboratively and start with what is achievable given their available but limited resources.

References 1. Baclayan, Paul and De la Cruz, Narcisco. (2004). Kaingin-destroyed Ipo Watershed: A Progress Report on the Ongoing Ipo Watershed Assessment. Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System. 2. United States Environmental Protection Agency. (2012). Three Big Pollutants. Retrieved from http://water.epa.gov/learn/resources/bigpollutants.cfm 3. Aganon, M., Cayabyab, I.D., Cueco, B., & Tribacio, R. (2011). Open Planning of Sanitation Sytems for the Dumagat Tribe in Ipo Watershed. Retrieved from University of the Philippines Diliman, Department of Environmental Engineering, Sustainable Sanitation Course. 4. The Philippine Star. (2004). Usufruct contracts of Ipo settlers questioned. Retrieved from http://www.philstar.com/nation/250945/usufruct-contracts-ipo-settlers-questioned 5. University of the Philippines Mountaineers and Sagip Sierra Madre Environmental Society, Incorporated. (2008). An Independent Report on the State of Ipo Watershed. Retrieved from: http://www.scribd.com/doc/6233946/20080926-Independent-Report-on-the-State-of-IpoWatershed 6. University of the Philippines Mountaineers and Mountaineering Federation of the Philippines, Incorporated. (2009). An Independent Report on the State of Ipo Watershed. Retrieved from http://www.scribd.com/doc/23089239/2009-05-01-An-Independent-Report-on-the-State-ofIpo-Watershed 7. University of the Philippines Mountaineers. (2014). An Independent Report on the State of Ipo Watershed. Retrieved from http://www.scribd.com/doc/207155924/2014-02-14-AnIndependent-Report-on-the-State-of-Ipo-Watershed 8. Lantican, Celso. (2015). Philippine Native Trees – What to Plant in Different Provinces. Retrieved from University of the Philippines Los Baños, College of Forestry and Natural Resources. 9. Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics. (2012). Principle 5: Minimize Campfire Impacts. Retrieved from https://lnt.org/learn/principle-5

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