Following the expiration of the issued Private Land Timber Permit (PLTP) that allows cutting one hundred twenty-one (121) old-growth trees within the Mounts Makabol and Alikoson Conservation Area (MMACA), the Sustainable Davao Movement (SDM), Interfacing Development Interventions for Sustainability (IDIS), Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF), Ecoteneo, and other environmental groups in Davao City released a new petition to permanently protect the area and legally declare it as a “Critical Habitat” under Republic Act 9147 or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act.
“Critical habitats” are areas that are known habitats (nest sites, roosting sites, or foraging areas) of threatened wildlife species, but are outside any existing national protected areas.
In an online forum held last February 19, 2022, the organizations who call themselves the MMACAvengers, revisited the journey of the campaign since November 2021. From the dialogues initiated with the DENR, to a letter sent by the SDM to the City Mayor seeking her support, to public consultations at Brgy. Salaysay, Marilog District, to the growing online signature petition urging the DENR XI to cancel the permit, currently at 8,000 – the call for Saving the Makabol Forest/ MMACA is resounding.
Despite the calls of various organizations and experts, and the over 8000 signature- strong petition and the City Mayor’s letter of support recognizing Makabol as an ancient nesting site of a Philippine Eagle pair and the importance of MMACA in replenishing the aquifers of Davao City’s Suawan-Kulafu Sub-Watershed, DENR did not cancel the timber-cutting permit. They relied on what they said was a “voluntary cessation” of tree cutting by the owner.
“Technically, DENR did not cancel the PLTP despite our call, but the PLTP expired as it exceeds its effectivity of 120 days. So, the PLTP died a natural death,” Atty. Mark Peñalver, IDIS Executive Director, explained.
Yet, the expiration of the said permit does not give the MMACA immunity from timber cutting, agricultural use, and any other form of development that is inconsistent with its classification as an Environmentally Critical Area and Conservation Zone under the Davao City Watershed Code.
“I believe that the eagles and all animals on the planet are innocent. They don’t know the danger that our kind can bring upon them. But humans have the gift of wisdom to know in our hearts what is right from wrong, and I believe that protecting MMACA for people, forests, and the eagle is the right choice,” Dr. Jayson Ibañez, PEF Research and Conservation Director, said during the webinar.
“Six years ago, on February 22, we almost lost 10% more green space for Davao City, were it not for 13,000 signatures and the mayor’s veto of the 17th City Council’s resolution to remove the green space ordinance,” Ms. Carmela Santos, Ecoteneo Director, shared. “At a time of climate emergency, we need trees in the city, and we need our forests intact if we are to survive 2030 and 2050. Makabol is Our Common Home with the Philippine eagle and wildlife, and our Obo Manobo sisters and brothers. Let us unite in protecting and caring for it,” she added.
Mr. Oliver Ancapoy, Obo-Manobo leader of Brgy. Salaysay, expressed his gratitude to the people who are helping them save their community. “At first, we objected to the tree cutting because it would destroy our only water source. But through this movement, we also realized that protecting Mt Makabol also saves nature.”
“It also protects our culture because the old trees bear the images of our elders. Kaingin and expansion of commercial farms still threaten our ancestral forests, but your help gave us hope that Mt Makabol will rise to these challenges,” he added.
With these, we urge the DENR to declare MMACA as critical habitat of the Philippine Eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi) and to reinforce its status as an Environmentally Critical Area (ECA).
We also urge the DENR to start and sustain a dialogue with private landowners, local government units, CSOs, local communities, and the national government on critical areas, such as the Mts. Makabol-Alikoson, and come up with meaningful management plans and actions.
Lastly, we call for the support of Dabawenyos and the general public by signing the petition to secure the lifeblood of all the residents of Brgy. Salaysay, spare the home for a family of the IUCN’s “critically endangered” Philippine Eagle and save the Makabol-Alikoson watershed, airshed, and bio-cultural sanctuary.
Click the link to sign the petition: