[NEWS]Amidst illegal logging activities in Sierra Madre… Dumagats continues to live harmoniously with nature

Months after authorities trooped to Norzagaray to cop illegal timber poachers, a class of Journalism students visited the Dumagats and discover their lifestyle in times of environmental destruction.

Last July, a task force made by provincial government under Bulacan Environment and Natural Resources Office(BENRO) consists of National Power Corporation(NAPOCOR), Angat Watershed Area Team(AWAT), Sagip Sierra Madre Environmental Society, the army and Philippine National Police headed to Sitio Ipo Brgy. to arrest timber poachers in the area.

The team successfully retrieved 3,857 tablon, but failed to arrest anyone.

But inspite of illegal activities at Sierra Madre, the Dumagats are still living within the area and refuse to live in more urban part of Bulacan.

“Matagal na kami dito, kaya ayaw na naming umalis. Mas sanay kaming mabuhay dito,” said a Dumagat.

Food other necessities were sometimes donated by visitors, but most of the time, they have to go in towns to buy their needs.

“May kinabubuhay naman kami dito, nagtataga kami ng mga kahoy tapos binebenta naming sa patag,” the Dumagat woman furthered.

While Dumagat’s livelihood came from legal way, timber poaching activities are still uncontrollable in Sierra Madre.

“Yong kasing batas natin ngayon masyadong mahina, masyadong mababa ang parusa, kaya kami sinusulong naming sa kongreso ‘yong tinatawag na FRB, o Forest Recovery Bill, hopefuly maraming congressman ang sumoporta,” Bro.Francisco said.

The bill strengthens the parameters of what is legal logging and what is illegal. More prime species will be protected by the bill and the task force is hoping the national government will support it.






It took days before the operation was made due to careful planning and avoidance of leakage. Still, the suspects managed to escape leaving prime species of woods behind.





“Ang illegal activity do’n talagang nando’n dahil sa presence ng illegal occupants, dito ang ginagawa nila, nagnanakaw sila ng kahoy, pero sa batas, illegal logging ‘yong ginagawa nila,” said Mendel Garcia of AWAT.


Garcia also said he is promoting to strengthen laws against illegal logging.


“Yong kasing batas natin ngayon masyadong mahina, masyadong mababa ang parusa, kaya kami sinusulong naming sa kongreso ‘yong tinatawag na FRB, o Forest Recovery Bill, hopefuly maraming congressman ang sumoporta,” Bro. Martin Francisco of AWAT said.





The bill strengthens the parameters of what is legal logging and what is illegal. More prime species will be protected by the bill and the task force is hoping the national government will support it.