Non-government para-enforcers were met with a scene of devastation when they arrived too late last month to intervene against illegal loggers in Barangay Pasadeña, a critical watershed located near the provincial water system that supplies El Nido.
The area, vital to the local water supply, was littered with the remains of massive Amuguis trees and five other notable forest species, all cut down by chainsaws.
“This area in Barangay Pasadeña is a watershed area and is just less than 100 meters away from the provincial water system, which services the water needs of residents of El Nido,” stated the Palawan NGO Network Incorporated (PNNI) in a post dated September 12.
The NGO stressed that amid a climate crisis and increasing water scarcity, it is unforgivable that Palawan’s forests are left unprotected.
PNNI pointed out that the destruction in Pasadeña reveals a grim reality: there were no government enforcement personnel, civil society activists, local government unit officials, NGOs, or academic presence in sight—only the loggers.
The complete lack of control in an area that should be recognized as protected has left the forest vulnerable to exploitation.
“In a time of Climate Crisis and water scarcity, one would think that our remaining forests, especially in the Last Frontier, would deserve extra special protection. Sadly, our governance is focused on towns and cities while our forests and coastal resources suffer from ‘Governnone,’ or the absence of public officers,” it said.
PNNI attributed their delayed response to their decision to prioritize the confiscation of a chainsaw in Taytay, another known hotspot for illegal logging, before proceeding to El Nido.
“NGO paraenforcers from PNNI arrived a bit too late to the scattered remains of enormous Amuguis trees, along with five other huge felled forest trees badly needed to retain water in this watershed,” the NGO further added.
PNNI emphasized that the destruction in Pasadeña is particularly alarming.
It highlighted that the impact of each felled tree extends beyond the forest, affecting the entire community.
PNNI Executive Director Atty. Robert Chan said the incident happened sometime in August.
According to him, illegal loggers are cutting down trees to supply quality lumber to resorts catering to tourists.
“I know last month ‘yan. Kaya hindi namin nakuha yong chainsaw na yan [sa Pasadeña] kasi inuna yong Taytay,” he told Palawan News on Thursday in a phone call.
“Ang nakakainis lang, tatlong malalaking ahensya yong nandyan sa Palawan, pero ang nagbabantay ng gubat ay NGO, di ba? Ang humuhuli ng chainsaw at nagbabantay ng gubat ay NGO,” Chan added.
PNNI questioned whether the announced multi-million funding for environmental protection is being used effectively, particularly for essential on-the-ground efforts like forest protection and conservation.
The NGO emphasized the need to redirect the money toward practical enforcement activities that can prevent such incidents from occurring in the first place.
