Baha sa matataas na bahagi ng Rizal, isinisi ng PIO nito sa dami ng ulang ibinuhos ng... | 24 Oras

GMA Integrated News

4 Sept 202403:45

Summary

TLDRThe recent heavy rains in Rizal, Philippines, have led to landslides, prompting public concern over deforestation and quarrying. The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) suggests that urbanization, not just quarrying, may be contributing to the sedimentation of mountain areas. The upper Marikina watershed, shared by Antipolo, Baras, Rodriguez, San Mateo, and Tanay, is under scrutiny for its forest cover, with only 20% remaining in the protected area. The DNR reports that less than 25% of the forest cover is fairly intact, while 42% is moderately covered. Environmentalists call for limiting activities that affect watersheds, such as construction and quarrying, to prevent further damage.

Takeaways

🏞️ The mountainous areas of Rizal are considered sacred by some, but recent urbanization has led to concerns about environmental degradation.
🌊 The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) suggests that urbanization, not just quarrying, could be a significant factor in the sedimentation of mountain areas in Rizal.
🚧 Infrastructure development, such as roads and buildings, has been cited as a cause of the flooding issues in Tanay and other areas due to the inability of water to flow naturally.
🌧️ The public information office of the province is criticized for not effectively managing the distribution of rainwater, especially during typhoons like Enteng.
🌳 Deforestation in the upper Marikina watershed has been a topic of discussion on social media, with some attributing it to quarrying activities.
⛏️ The Department of Environment and Natural Resources claims that only a small percentage (around 1%) of the Marikina watershed is affected by quarrying.
🚫 There are no active quarries or mining in the protected upper Marikina watershed, and permits have been cancelled for such activities.
🌿 The forest cover in the protected area has been significantly reduced, with only 20% remaining, according to the Masungi Georeserve Foundation.
🏡 Environmentalists argue that activities that contribute to environmental damage, such as construction and urbanization, should be limited, especially within watersheds.
🏞️ The law states that only forest-dependent communities and IPs are allowed to live within protected areas, reflecting a policy to preserve these spaces.

Q & A

Why are some mountainous areas in Rizal considered prone to landslides?
-The mountainous areas in Rizal are considered prone to landslides due to their high elevation, which makes them susceptible to heavy rainfall and the subsequent risk of landslides.
What is the Department of Natural Resources' (DNR) stance on urbanization as a cause for landslides in Rizal?
-The DNR suggests that urbanization might be a contributing factor to landslides because it can lead to cemented areas that do not allow water to seep through, increasing the risk of landslides.
What measures is the public information office of Rizal province taking to address the landslide issue?
-The public information office is focusing on directing the public's attention to areas where rainwater should be channeled to make prompt decisions and preparations for response actions.
What is the role of the upper Marikina watershed in the context of the landslides in Rizal?
-The upper Marikina watershed is a critical area that has been studied for its deforestation and quarrying activities, which may contribute to landslides. However, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources states that only a small percentage of the watershed is affected by quarrying.
How does the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) view the impact of quarrying on the forest cover in Rizal?
-According to the DENR, the impact of quarrying on the forest cover in Rizal is minimal, with only about 1% of the entire Marikina watershed affected. Moreover, the upper Marikina watershed, which is a protected area, does not have any active quarries or mining.
What is the current forest cover status in the protected area of the upper Marikina watershed?
-The forest cover in the protected area of the upper Marikina watershed is reported to be significantly reduced, with only 20% remaining, according to the Masungi Georeserve Foundation.
What is the percentage of intact forest cover in the watershed according to the DNR?
-The DNR states that about 25% of the forest cover in the watershed is fairly intact, while less than 42% is considered to have moderate forest cover.
What is the environmentalist's view on the impact of urbanization on landslide risks?
-Environmentalists suggest that urbanization activities, such as the construction of residential areas, should be limited due to their impact on water absorption and the increased risk of landslides.
Who are allowed to live within the protected areas according to the laws?
-According to the laws, only forest-dependent communities and indigenous people's communities (IPs) are allowed to live within protected areas.
What has been the progress in terms of flood control projects in the mentioned areas?
-Despite more than 10 years passing, there has not been sufficient change in terms of flood control projects to address the issues of landslides and flooding in the area.

Outlines

00:00

🌳 Environmental Impact of Urbanization and Quarrying in Rizal

The video script discusses the controversy over the impact of urbanization and quarrying on the mountainous areas of Rizal, particularly in relation to the recent Typhoon Enteng. Critics argue that the high elevation of these areas should have been protected from urban development to prevent landslides. The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is criticized for allowing urbanization, which has led to the cementing of many mountain parts. The script mentions that some areas in Tanay are inaccessible due to the height of the roads, which is a result of the high elevation of the land. The public information office of the province is accused of directing too much development in areas prone to landslides. The video also addresses the issue of deforestation in the upper Marikina watershed, which is a concern raised by environmentalists and social media. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources claims that only a small percentage of the watershed is affected by quarrying, and that the upper Marikina watershed, which is a protected area, has no active quarries or mining. However, the script points out that 20% of the forest cover in the protected area has been lost, according to the Masungi Georeserve Foundation. The DNR's data suggests that 25% of the forest cover is still fairly intact, while 42% is considered moderate forest cover. The script also mentions that quarrying has affected the forest cover, and that urbanization should be limited to prevent further environmental damage. The video concludes with a call for better flood control projects and a critique of the lack of significant change in this area over the past decade.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Urbanization

Urbanization refers to the population shift from rural to urban areas, resulting in the expansion of cities and towns. In the context of the video, urbanization is discussed as a potential cause for the cementing of many parts of the mountain, leading to environmental issues such as flooding. The script mentions that the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) suggests urbanization might be a factor to consider in the sedimentation of the mountain areas in Rizal.

💡Deforestation

Deforestation is the removal of trees and forests, often for agricultural, urban, or other development purposes. The video script highlights deforestation as a significant issue, particularly in the upper Marikina watershed, which has led to a decrease in forest cover and an increase in environmental problems such as landslides and flooding.

💡Quarrying

Quarrying is the process of extracting stone, sand, or minerals from the earth. In the script, quarrying is mentioned as a potential cause for the degradation of forest cover in Rizal. However, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources clarifies that only a small percentage of the Marikina watershed is affected by quarrying, and that the upper Marikina watershed, which is a protected area, does not have any active quarries or mining.

💡Forest Cover

Forest cover refers to the extent of land covered by trees and vegetation. The script discusses the reduction in forest cover in the protected area of the Marikina watershed, with only 20% remaining as per the Masungi Georeserve Foundation. This decrease is a concern as it affects the ecosystem's health and its ability to prevent natural disasters like landslides and flooding.

💡Sedimentation

Sedimentation is the process by which particles settle out of a fluid and form layers of solid material. In the video, sedimentation is discussed in relation to the mountain areas in Rizal, where the high levels of sedimentation are causing environmental issues. The script mentions that the public information office is being blamed for the sedimentation due to the excessive amount of rainwater being poured into these areas.

💡Protected Area

A protected area is a region of land or sea that is designated for the conservation of biological diversity, natural resources, and cultural values. The upper Marikina watershed is mentioned as a protected area in the script, which implies that it should be safeguarded from activities that could harm its ecological integrity, such as quarrying and mining.

💡Environmental Impact

Environmental impact refers to the effects of human activities on the environment. The video script discusses the environmental impact of urbanization and quarrying on the mountain areas in Rizal, leading to issues like sedimentation and deforestation, which in turn affect the overall health of the ecosystem.

💡Landslide

A landslide is a geological phenomenon where a mass of earth, rock, or debris moves down a slope. The script implies that the deforestation and sedimentation in Rizal's mountain areas could lead to landslides, which are dangerous natural disasters that can cause significant damage to property and human life.

💡Floods

Floods occur when an area of land is covered by water that is overflowed from a river, lake, or the sea. The video script discusses the flooding issues in Rizal, which are exacerbated by the high levels of sedimentation and deforestation, as well as the urbanization that prevents water from being absorbed naturally by the soil and vegetation.

💡Decision and Response Actions

Decision and response actions refer to the steps taken by authorities or communities to address and mitigate the effects of environmental issues. The script mentions that the public information office is urged to make prompt decisions and prepare response actions to deal with the effects of typhoon Enteng, which could exacerbate the existing environmental problems in Rizal.

💡Forest Dependent Communities

Forest dependent communities are groups of people whose livelihoods and well-being are closely tied to the forest ecosystem. The script notes that according to the laws, only these communities and indigenous people (IPs) are allowed to live within protected areas, emphasizing the importance of preserving these areas for the people who rely on them for their survival.

Highlights

Enteng, a new typhoon, is considered the cause of landslides in Rizal's mountainous areas due to its intensity.

Netizens blame the landslides on the high elevation of the mountains in Rizal.

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) suggests that urbanization might be a contributing factor to the landslides.

Areas in Tanay are experiencing flooding due to the high volume of rainwater that cannot be absorbed by the terrain.

Public Information Office of the province is being criticized for not effectively managing the areas prone to landslides.

The government is urged to make prompt decisions and preparations in response to the typhoon's effects.

The effectiveness of a few days' notice is questioned, especially when there is no clear direction on where the rain will be heaviest.

Environmentalists argue that the upper Marikina watershed has been overexploited, leading to deforestation.

Quarrying in Rizal is suspected to be a significant cause of deforestation in the area.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) claims that only a small percentage of the Marikina watershed is affected by quarrying.

The upper Marikina watershed is a protected area with no active quarrying or mining activities.

The government's policy is to not allow new quarries in the area to protect the environment.

The forest cover in the protected area has significantly decreased, with only 20% remaining.

According to the DNR, a 25% forest cover is considered fairly intact, while 42% is considered moderate forest cover.

Quarrying is acknowledged to have an impact on the vegetation, but urbanization is also a factor to consider.

Environmentalists suggest that activities that contribute to environmental degradation, such as construction, should be limited.

Laws state that only forest-dependent communities and IPs are allowed to live within protected areas.

Despite more than a decade passing, there has been insufficient change in terms of flood control projects.