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By Eric T. Briones
MOUNT Diwata is located at the southern end of
the Diwata range in Agusan del Sur and Surigao del Sur provinces in
north-eastern Mindanao. This mountain is south of Mount
Hilong-hilong, the first mountain I was able to climb.
Did you know?
Diwatas or lambanas are figures in Philippine
mythology as the guardian spirits of nature; they bring blessings or
curses upon those who bring benefit or harm to the forests and
mountains. Large trees, like the acacia and balete are said to be
homes to these spirits.
Preparation
Tents and survey equipment…check. Batteries…
check. Mosquito-repellant lotion…double check.
I have been to the mountains before, and given
that our trip to Mindanao would be my third and fourth biophysical
survey for the year, I had felt prepared and more than familiar with
the itinerary of the European Commission funded-GOLDEN Forests
Project-Mount Diwata survey.
The preparation was efficiently carried out to
ensure that our requirements and equipment were all accounted for
and ready for transport—an exercise borne out of training and the
habal-habal experience from Mount Hilong-hilong. We, four biologists
with our 15 baggages, set of to our journey to Mount Diwata.
We arrived at around two in the afternoon at
Butuan Airport in Agusan del Norte, and took the familiar road to
Tandag, Surigao del Sur. The bumpy ride, courtesy of long stretches
of rough roads, kept us awake for most of the six-hour journey. We
reached the GOLDEN Forests’ staff house at around nine in the
evening. I think we broke two records that night—first, for
unloading our enormous baggages; and secondly, for devouring two
roasted chickens for dinner in one seating!
With the team rested, the remainder of our
evening was spent discussing our itinerary for the next few days.
Anticipation
Permits…check. Courtesy calls…double check.
Conducting a biophysical survey is not simply
about packing hiking bags and setting out to climb a mountain—it
also involves courtesy calls to the local government agencies and
military stationed in the region to inform them of our Project’s
intentions and itinerary. It is quite a long task list, but
nonetheless necessary to ensure a smooth and safe activity. Permits
have been requested and approved before our arrival in Mindanao.
Our team gave courtesy calls to the Provincial
and Community Environment and Natural Resources Officers (CENRO-PENRO)
Tandag, Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Officer (MENRO)
Cagwait, Aras-Asan Timber Corp. (ARTIMCO), PNP and to the Philippine
Army Detachment in the area. We also visited the local leaders of
our survey site: Bonifacio Ondona, the mayor of Cagwait; Dominador
Ferraz, former barangay captain of Tubo-Tubo; and Datu Joselito
Tanola, the IP leader of Mam-on.
After all our courtesy calls, it was
all-systems-go for team. To complete our supplies, we embarked on
the tiring, yet enjoyable task, of purchasing the bulk of our food
requirements from the local wet market. Haggling for prices has
become second nature to us, as we efficiently purchased goods to
survive for two weeks in the mountains.
With approximately 25 baggages, the team along
with six local guides, began our trek to Mt. Diwata.
Wet welcome
Ziplocks…check. Raincoats…check. Heavy-duty
boots…double check.
It was a rainy day when we started our trip to
Sitio Mam-on, Barangay Tubo-Tubo in Cagwait. Typhoon Lando has just
entered the Philippines’ area of responsibility in Bicol, and we
became acutely aware of its presence. A heavy downpour blanketed
Mount Diwata and afforded us only a very brief glimpse of the
mountains. It was a wet two-hour drive to Cagwait and we anxiously
awaited our habal-habal ride toward the steep mountain slopes.
With our bags loaded on the habal-habals, our
ride started slow yet steady on the slippery path. There came a
point when we had to get off the habal-habals altogether to help
push the vehicles up the steeper and muddier paths. Traversing up to
500 meters above sea level, we passed through breathtaking sights;
while the heavy rain lent an ethereal feel to the landscape.
The 9-kilometer, 200-meter ascent to our base
camp took almost three hours and nearly all of our reserved energy.
We were soaking wet by the time we reached our base camp. We spent
our first night in inclement weather, the luxury of a dry bed a
distant memory.
The next day seemed like forever as heavy rain
poured relentlessly for the entire day.
Understanding Mount Diwata
GPS…check. Mist nets…check.
Binoculars…double check.
The weather thankfully cooperated with us on the
third day. We were able to conduct both flora and fauna surveys
continuously for the remainder of our stay. These surveys were the
core exercise of our journey.
Some of the survey methods we conducted were
ocular observation, mist-netting and opportunistic sampling. The
data we have gathered will become part of the baseline data for the
GOLDEN Forests Project, which is necessary for developing and
adapting conservation actions and policies.
Some notable species that we encountered in
Mount Diwata were the Wattled Broadbill (Eurylaimus streerii), the
Black-faced Coucal (Centropus melanops), the Writhed Hornbill (Aceros
leucocephalus), the Rufous Hornbill (Buceros hydrocorax), the
Black-Spotted Narrow-Mouthed Frog (Kalophrynus pleurostigma Tschudi),
the Philippine Pygmy Fruit Bat (Haplonycteris fischeri), and the
Harpy Fruit Bat (Harpyionycteris whiteheadi).
Seventy species of birds were recorded on site:
of which at least 30 species were found endemic with 11 species
found only in Mindanao faunal region. Additionally, there were also
several amphibian and reptile species which we are currently
processing in detail for proper identification. Furthermore, 22
species of mammals were recorded: 14 of which were found as endemic
to the Philippines including 4 species found only in Mindanao.
Committing to safeguard
Species list…check. Specimens…check.
Documentation…double check.
The beauty of Mount Diwata is unquestionable and
its significance in ecological balance absolute, unfortunately the
damage that it has sustained and continues to sustain is undeniable.
Being at the frontline of biophysical surveys
has opened my eyes to the state our gentle giants are in. Nature may
have the capacity to heal them but civilization is hurting them
faster than nature can sustain. The data that we have gathered may
help in understanding what needs to be done to help conserve our
natural treasures, but it is our personal commitment to safeguard
the environment which will spell the difference.
For information how you can join Haribon
Foundation’s initiatives to conserve our endemic species, e-mail:
communication@haribon.org.ph, or visit www.haribon.org.ph.
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