Womenwise: Forests and Farms in Slopes | Mindanao Times.

by Isabelita Solamo-Antonio
January 25, 2012

  I spent the eve of the Chinese New Year in the beautiful Garden by the Bay near our home here in Davao City and my thoughts were all about forests and farms and fruits. I was alarmed that the high tide of the new lunar moon covered to the brim the jetty for boats to a nearby beach across the Davao Gulf. Certainly, it is not due to the mythical water dragon of the lunar New Year but for sure it is another evidence of climate change.

I am grappling about forests because my next advocacy is about reforestation. Anything that relates to policy, laws and development and disadvantaged communities are within my area of interests. Also during the week, I met with women informal settlers from the downtown coastal area of Davao City; they were women who have made homes in a sandbar in Isla Verde which grew out of siltation and mud from the denuded mountains of Davao City. I was so touched by their tale during Southwest monsoons ( Habagat). They said their belongings are always packed for quick evacuations in the event of strong storm surge. So, their dream is to be relocated to a safe place to be able to sleep soundly.

Oceans and mountains are so intimately related. In the case of resort islands with beaches, much of the garden is under the sea in its coral reef. The siltation and mud which flows during floods through its riverways to the sea will destroy the marine coral reefs and various marine fishes. Various communities will have to be taught the concept of Agro Forestry for their own sustainability and to preserve the tourism industry of the island cities. Also, since forests constitute a very small percentage of total land use in many of our islands, our water systems will not be sustainable.

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