The panorama of Sitio Pait is saddening.

FINALLY, I was able to acquire copies of pictures of our Earth Day Eco-Walk and Tree Growing Activity held on April 25, 2008, for the benefit of the Calminda Watershed, which covers the areas of Barangays Alegria, Bagacay, and Paraiso, Alabel, Sarangani Province.

The protection of the Calminda Watershed is one of the top priorities of the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO) of Alabel. In cooperation with the DENR Provincial Office of Sarangani and the Local Government of Alabel, the office designated portions of the watershed for the different schools in the municipality, the different departments of the LGU, and other organizations to rehabilitate and maintain.

Engr. Rivera shows us the map of Calminda Watershed.

After planting the trees, Engr. Allan Rivera, who heads the MENRO, brought us to Sitio Pait so we could see for ourselves how grave is the damage inflicted by human activities to our watershed and how urgent is the need for its rehabilitation.The area for the Junior Ecologist Movement is situated at Sitio Pongol-eel , Alegria Alabel, Sarangani Province. On the slopes of the said area, we planted trees, which we will visit from time to time to see how well our trees grow.

After planting the trees, Engr. Allan Rivera, who heads the MENRO, brought us to Sitio Pait so we could see for ourselves how grave is the damage inflicted by human activities to our watershed and how urgent is the need for its rehabilitation.

A portion of a mountain damaged by Kaingin system.

Barren mountains welcomed us in Pait. It was saddening. Engr. Rivera explained that it is because the locals there are still nomadic. After using one area for planting, they to move to another place without replacing the trees they cut down to make way for their crops. Worse, they are doing kaingin or slash-and-burn farming, which, as you know, is not good practice as it causes erosion and leaching of the soil.

What we did was only the first step. There is really a great need for educating the locals to care for our watershed because it is the source of life for all the people in the municipality. If we plant trees in the watersheds or catchments, they can prevent rainwater from running off

Engr. Allan Rivera demonstrates how trees in the watersheds work.

the earth’s surface, eroding the soil, and inundating the lowlands. They will also help make sure that there would always be enough water supply for the populace. However, there is the classic question of economic development and environmental health.

I am glad the local government has realized the need for effective management of our natural resources. I hope that under the leadership of the dynamic MENRO head, Engr. Rivera, the Calminda Watershed will come back to life and will continue to go on living for generations to come.

The local government built a water system that taps natural spring water for human consumption.

The spring provided refreshment after long walks and climbs. That’s me in white with two of my students, Cristina Abordo, the JEM Council President, and Bien Jefferson Unabia, one of our Physics wizards.

The trek to the spring was dangerous and difficult.

Did I say difficult?

And this is only the beginning.