Mangrove forest conversion
alarming: Task Force Ilahas

While timber poaching activities in the remaining forest cover of Negros Occidental are on the decline, the conversion of mangrove forests in coastal areas into fishponds is now alarming, a Task Force Ilahas report said yesterday.

Records of the Provincial Environment and Management Office show that mangrove forests in the province have drastically decreased from 18,000 hectares in the past to only 500 hectares today.

The mangrove areas serve as breeding and laying grounds for different species of fish, lobsters and crabs, as harboring areas for migratory birds, screeners for wastes from the inland to the sea, and protect the coastal areas of Negros Occidental from typhoons and possible "tsunami" or tidal waves, the TFI report pointed out.

Chief Inspector William Señoron, TFI enforcement unit chief, yesterday said last year they confiscated an estimated 10,000 board feet of mangrove trees cut by poachers on Bulila Island, Hinobaan; Brgy. Canturay, Sipalay City; and Punta Silay in Brgy. 1 poblacion, Ilog.

Last year, more than 3,650 square meters of mangrove forest were also cleared and converted into fishponds, which is prohibited by law, Señoron said in his report during a meeting of the Center for Environmental Initiatives held at the Provincial Capitol in Bacolod City.

"This trend is alarming as illegal conversion of mangroves into fishponds cause constriction of river channels, which result to flash floods and massive depletion of our mangrove ecosystem," Señoron said. PEMO chief Edwin Abanil who presided over the CEI quarterly meeting, yesterday suggested the reactivation of the Provincial Bantay Dagat Council, to help the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Task Force Ilahas and local government units in addressing the depletion of mangrove forests in Negros Occidental.

In 2004, seven persons who were caught by TFI in the act of cutting of mangroves in Brgy. Andolawan, Ilog, were meted prison terms by Judge Rodney Bolunia for violation of PD 705, known as the Revised Forestry Code Act.

TFI is also verifying reports of mangrove cutting along the coastal area of Calatrava in northern Negros.

Señoron also reported that they were able to arrest 43 persons for violation of PD 705 and confiscated 1,769 board feet of lumber and timber last year.

Señoron said attributed the decline in the confiscation of timber and lumber, to TFI's sustained visibility operations and massive information drive, in coordination with the DENR.

He, however, expressed alarm over the unabated illegal charcoal making activities.

An estimated 1.5 hectares of forest cover at Sitio Diatimon, Brgy. Canlusong, E.B. Magalona, were damaged by illegal charcoal making activities last year.*GPB

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Decomposed body
of fisherman found

The search for a missing 28-year-old fisherman ended yesterday after his body, which was already in an advanced state of decomposition, was found floating in the territorial waters of Brgy. Manta-angan in E.B. Magalona, Negros Occidental.

Senior Inspector Santiago Rapiz, E.B. Magalona police chief, yesterday identified the missing fisherman as Jesus Bareno of Brgy. Punta Mesa, Manapla, whose body was claimed by his brother, Roland.

Police investigations show that Bareno, accompanied by his cousin, went fishing on board a sailboat along the territorial waters of Manapla town on Jan. 17.

Bareno who dove into the water to recover the anchor of their sailboat, however, failed to surface and was reported missing later by his cousin.

Rapiz said the decomposing body of Bareno was towed by fishermen to the seashore of Brgy. Manta-angan, E.B. Magalona, for identification.

The body was positively identified as that of the fisherman and was claimed by his brother, Roland, who was informed by the E.B. Magalona police.*GPB

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