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[av_heading heading=’DALMING | An open letter to the LGU of Igbaras’ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
BY ROMA GONZALES
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Wednesday, May 17, 2017
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DEAR People-Who-Can-Save-the-Mountains-and-Rivers,
As someone who has climbed Mt. Napulak for literally a dozen times, it would be a shame if I wouldn’t at least try to speak for it and its surrounding bounty. The mountains do not talk until they are enraged enough – something we should really avoid. I am just a regular hiker, but I hope you would spare me some of your time.
First of all, thank you for your recent efforts on trying to preserve your natural wealth. We were told that you are more actively discussing about improving your local tourism lately. Have you already been to Mt. Napulak’s summit? You should take a hike there or to Guiritsan Falls or at least Nadsadjan. It was as if Bathala set this earthly corner – your very municipality – to be a special playground for diwatas and woodland creatures! These gardens deserve to be defended against the greed and arrogance of men.
With the increasing popularity of outdoor activities in the last few years, it is expected that more tourists will come to Igbaras. This will undoubtedly boost your economy. However, it is probably just as important (if not more) to think about the potential ill-effects just so we can all take preventive measures. Damage control is never easy (or possible) when it comes to natural resources.
If you are indeed going to strictly charge registration fees, you might as well try to go beyond just warning people not to litter. You should also note that a lot of the garbage on the trails or surrounding areas come from the locals. I don’t blame them. Filipinos tend to litter everywhere, even on their own yard. This negative aspect of our culture has to stop, and yours is a very, very special yard. If you go down to the grassroots level to enlighten the people about proper waste disposal and how it can benefit their water sources and the environment as a whole, that would be a big step towards local ecological preservation and protection.
Nevertheless, those fast-food styro foams and soft drink plastic bottles we see on the trails are most likely left behind by irresponsible city dwellers. If tourists will receive briefings during the registration or from their tour guides, perhaps we shall see less (or none) of this disrespect. The latter should be trained in local history too, if possible, as well as in hiking principles and etiquette.
To give the trails a rest, limiting the number of tourists seems also a sound decision. Another option may be closing a particular mountain for a certain amount of time while opening other destinations. For instance, Mt. Napulak may be closed during the year’s second to last quarter while Mt. Taripis or Loboc are opened at this time and closed on others.
Closing certain places completely for a while is another although they would surely be missed. Rotating trails may also be one. For instance, Bagay trail may only be opened to hikers at certain months and restricted on others. This way, we can allow the disturbed flora and fauna to recover. But what do I know? Consulting legitimate environmentalists, foresters, mountaineers, ecologists and the like is highly recommended.
If you want to take a step further, investing in your children for long-term solutions seems a tedious but very worthwhile initiative, too. Integrating environmental awareness in your schools’ curriculum or activities can give us hope that the young ones will grow up to be more ecologically sensitive. Teaching them about local history and culture will also give them a sense of patriotism and pride. Just imagine how conscientious they could be as citizens!
Furthermore, I hope that the majority of your tourism profits would not come from outrageous “registration” or “entrance” or “environmental” fees like the recent case in Mt. Batulao in Batangas. As what Pinoy Mountaineer wrote on his website, much of your tourism income could instead be generated from other sources such as local goods, products and services.
Perhaps people can make souvenir items. Perhaps some can make pastries from all that peanut and coffee and honey from the highlands. Yes, more livelihood opportunities! And yes, many are going to need your help to start.
Moreover, please, please take into account what outdoor enthusiasts (mountaineers, hikers, rock climbers, bikers, etc.) and tour guides have to say. You should really consider their insights when making local policies. Some damages in the wild are brought by well-intentioned but ignorant actions. There are principles that mountaineering upholds, the most basic of which is “Leave No Trace.” This is why many of the mountain lovers were angered when a picnic table was built on Napulak’s summit or when garbage as small as candy wrappers were left among the greens. They also represent the majority of tourists you are trying to attract, making them legitimate stakeholders in your decisions.
I hope you realize the kind of abundance that you have. But with all due respect, I also hope you realize, now more than ever, the power that you have over them, and the responsibility that we all share. (rr_gonzales316@yahoo.com/PN)
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