Mt. Maranat Assessment Report 2016

Assessment Report on the
State of the Areas in and around

Mount Maranat
Prepared by a composite team
comprising of members of the
Department of Environment and Natural Resources,
Sagip Sierra Madre Environmental Society, Incorporated,
Sagip Kagubatan Para Sa Kinabukasan Corporation,
Conquer Outdoor Equipment,
National University Mountaineers,
CLIMBER Group and the
University of the Philippines Mountaineers
Presented during a meeting on March 14, 2016
with the officials of the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office of Bulacan
and with the members of
Sagip Kagubatan Para Sa Kinabukasan Corporation,
Maranat Environmental Society, Incorporated and the
University of the Philippines Mountaineers
Background
Mt. Maranat is situated within Ipo Watershed, a critical watershed that supplies Metro Manila
with water. It is under the political jurisdiction of Norzagaray, Bulacan. Under Presidential
Proclamation No. 391 dated April 10, 1978, the Department of Environment and Natural
Resources (DENR) and the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) were
mandated to coordinate and implement forest management of this mountain since it is within
Ipo Watershed. South of Mt. Maranat are the the Municipality of Rodriguez (Montalban),
Rizal and the City of San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan. Its main attractions are its numerous
waterfalls. Mt. Maranat has an elevation of 845 masl but most hikers do not go there to
reach the summit. They only go there to enjoy the waterfalls and to camp in Tatay Nestor
Altamias backyard which is at 396 masl (meters above sea level).
The campsite in Tatay Nestors place and the waterfalls of Mt. Maranat can be accessed
through various trails. Most of these trails have their jump-off point at Licao-licao in Barangay
San Isidro, Rodriguez (Montalban), Rizal. Hikers from Metro Manila and nearby
municipalities usually start their trek in Licao-licao as this is accessible via public transport.
The Traditional Trail is the easiest, shortest and most popular trail. The average hiking time
for this trail is 2 hours. This trail crosses Ipo River just before reaching Tatay Nestors place.
During the dry season, the water in the river is more than 3 feet deep. On rainy days,
crossing this river can be quite dangerous because the water becomes very deep and the
current becomes very strong. But in spite of the danger and advice from concerned
mountaineers not to cross when the water is high, some hikers still dare to cross the river
even during typhoons by using the improvised zipline ropes installed by the locals and
some hikers. On days with less stormy weather, there are some who cross the river using
ropes through methods that are questionable even for water safety experts.
Other visitors who visit the summit of Mt. Balagbag also go to Mt. Maranat via the trail that
hikers named Sirko/Sirkulo Balentong. This is a rocky gully that usually gets dangerous
2016 Assessment Report on the State of the Areas in and around Mount Maranat
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during the rainy season as this becomes a channel for converging rain water. Hikers who
want a more strenuous trip to Mt. Maranat use the Balagbag Loop trail which contours
through the southwestern and western slopes of Mt. Balagbag until it reaches the river
crossing at the shallow parts of Ipo River where the depth of the water is about 1.5 feet or
less. From here, it is another long hike through steep trails and ravines along the northern
bank of Ipo River to reach the waterfalls of Mt. Maranat. Other distant trails leading to Mt.
Maranat pass through Sitio Ilas in Barangay Macaingalan, Rodriguez, Rizal.
This is the Traditional Trail from Licao-licao to to Tatay Nestors house in Mt. Maranat. This is the trail used by
the team that conducted the Assessment Climb.
Mt. Maranat gained popularity in 2013 when hikers started to post their photos in social
networking sites and bloggers shared their itineraries in the internet for everyone to see.
Prior to that year, there have been visitors to Mt. Maranat but they were not as numerous as
the hikers and campers from mid-2013 to 2015. Some say it is because of Tatay Nestors
very accommodating attitude towards hikers that many came to visit his place on a regular
basis. Some even stay there for a whole month or even longer. All the necessary amenities
to make camping easier and more comfortable are available there. The ease and
accessibility of Tatay Nestors place also made Mt. Maranat a famous hiking destination
among outdoor enthusiasts. Tatay Nestors caring nature made him popular among hikers
to the point that some abused his generosity and hospitality. Sadly, there are reports that
some campers bring illicit substances like marijuana, shabu and even cocaine. They use
these substances for recreational purposes without the knowledge of Tatay Nestor. Aside
from these, bottles of alcohol are also consumed on an almost regular basis by most
campers who stay there overnight. There are also complaints about the noise made by
boisterous campers until the wee hours of the morning. These incidents of unruly behavior
by some hikers are similar to what is happening frequently in the summit campsite of the
adjacent mountain, Mt. Balagbag. But, in spite of the delinquency exhibited by some hikers,
there are also those who are responsible and mature enough to turn the ugly face of the
camping experience in Mt. Maranat into one that is purpose-driven. These are the people
who are really close to Tatay Nestor and treat each other as one big happy family. They
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even call each other Kap which is short for kapatid. For them, the objectives for camping
in Mt. Maranat should be to keep the campsite clean and orderly and to restore the forest by
doing tree planting and tree nurturing activities. They took it upon themselves to pick up the
trash left behind by irresponsible hikers so that these can be brought back to the city for
proper disposal. They set up rules and printed them on tarpaulin posters in the hope that all
would follow but because entry was unregulated back then, it was difficult to make everyone
cooperate. Just like violators in urban areas, a lot of hikers still needed to be disciplined.
Tatay Nestor who is originally from Mindanao came to settle in his present location in 2007.
He knows that he cannot own the land because he is not a Dumagat who has ancestral
domain over Ipo Watershed. Because of that, he just assumed stewardship of the area
after a former settler gave him the rights to the land which the DENR does not recognize.
Just like other rights being sold in Ipo Watershed, these transactions do not have a legal
basis according to the DENR. This is one of the many reasons why illegal settlers continue
to encroach Ipo Watershed and why forest areas are being turned to residential and
agricultural lands. Tatay Nestors place in Mt. Maranat is a kalaanan area as evidenced by
the regenerating vegetation. Kalaanan is the stage of land disturbance that follows kaingin.
In a kalaanan area, pioneer species of plants and trees take over the bare land. According to
Tatay Nestor, when he came to the place, numerous decades-old trees were already cut
down illegally and were either turned to lumber or charcoal. He settled there to build a house
for his family, plant fruit-bearing trees and raise livestock for their livelihood and sustenance.
The trees planted by Tatay Nestor were similar to those non-native trees recommended by
the proponents of the DENRs Usufruct Program in 2004 before the contracts were
terminated because of its failure to solve the problem of deforestation. Non-native fruitbearing trees like coffee, cacao, langka and guyabano were chosen to be planted because
of their economic value but based on the joint study by the Forest Management Bureau of
the DENR and MWSS in 2004, planting these fruit-bearing trees for economic purposes
became the sparkplug for more kaingin activities to take place as illegal settlers wanted to
convert the natural forests into tree plantations and fruit orchards. When mountaineers who
regularly visit Mt. Maranat learned the urgent need to reforest this denuded area in Ipo
Watershed in 2013, they were able to shift the focus on planting exotic or non-native trees to
planting native species that can be found within the watershed. They established
communication ties with other volunteers from Singles for Christ (SFC) Bulacan Chapter and
the University of the Philippines Mountaineers (UPM) who have been doing reforestation
work in Ipo Watershed since 2008 and 2007 respectively. In February 2013, this group of
volunteer mountaineers who regularly plant trees in Mt. Maranat formed an organization and
they named themselves Sagip Kagubatan Para sa Kinabukasan or SK. Currently, SK is
registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) with Edwin Ramos Sta.
Maria as their Founding Chairman. Together with Tatay Nestor, this group is actively
engaged in the reforestation efforts in Mt. Maranat.
In 2010, before Mt. Maranat became popular among outdoor enthusiasts, a group of hikers
based in San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan helped Tatay Nestor construct a flush-type toilet in
his backyard that is more or less 200 feet away from the creek leading to the waterfalls. A
makeshift septic tank was dug near the toilet. The solid boulders underneath the excavated
earth became the flooring for the septic tank. Back then, this might not have posed a
problem to the quality of the groundwater underneath the toilet because the original intended
users were only a handful of people. But when campers started to pour in by the hundreds
during weekends, the impact of this human waste disposal system became questionable
especially because no clearance was obtained from the MWSS and DENR to build this toilet
which the hikers have been using. In addition to that, the ground near the toilet was wet most
of the time because it is within the proximity of the shower area that is also adjacent to the
toilet. It could be possible that decomposition of fecal matter would take longer because of
the wet condition of the soil and the amount of human waste deposited in the septic tank.
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The water from the toilet and the shower area would make it easier for the contaminants to
leach quicker to the groundwater and eventually to the waterfalls as water travels faster
through the nooks and crannies of solid boulders below the ground. Last November 2015,
the DENR implemented the no permit-no climb policy, which decreased the number of
overnight campers. As such, the potential of the toilet to contaminate nearby water sources
is much lower.
Because of the exponential rise in the number of visitors to Mt. Maranat starting in 2013 and
the negative effects of mass tourism, alarms have been raised by a number of concerned
mountaineers. On November 3, 2015, a meeting was held by the DENR, MWSS, World
Wildlife Fund (WWF), Manila Water Corporation, Incorporated (MWCI) and Maynilad Water
Services, Incorporated (MWSI) at the Main Office of the MWSS in Balara, Quezon City to
discuss the situation in Ipo Watershed, particularly in Mt. Maranat. The UP Mountaineers
(UPM) was invited by these major stakeholders to share their insights and observations on
the state of Mt. Maranat. It was agreed upon during the meeting that some DENR personnel
would be sent to visit Tatay Nestors place to check the veracity of the reports. In the
succeeding days, the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer (PENRO) of
DENR Bulacan held several meetings with the members of SK which Tatay Nestor is a
member of. On the third week of November, PENRO Celia Esteban invited other hiking
groups to their office in Malolos, Bulacan to have initial discussions on the state of Mt.
Maranat. On November 23, 2015, volunteers from different mountaineering organizations
met each other face to face. Issues were sorted out in order to come up with solutions to the
problems hounding Mt. Maranat. During this meeting, everyone present was in agreement to
schedule an Assessment Climb in Mt. Maranat to identify the current problems and to give
recommendations on how to collaboratively address the issues. On December 22, 2015,
another meeting was set to plan for the climb. On the same day, Mr. Roger Encarnacion, the
Community Environment and Natural Resources Officer (CENRO) of Tabang, Bulacan
informally named the group of volunteer mountaineers and the personnel from DENR who
would be participating in the climb as Sagip Ipo Watershed Assessment Team (SIWAT). The
Assessment Climb was then scheduled to be conducted on January 23-24, 2016.
The Problems of Mt. Maranat

The problems that will be discussed in this report will be divided into three parts. The first
part will tackle the deterioration of the forests. The second part will discuss the pressure
brought about the communities in and around Mt. Maranat and the third will talk about the
pressure from tourist activities. Under each heading, the findings and the observations that
the Assessment Team made will be discussed. The corresponding recommendations will
follow each finding and observation.
A. Deterioration of the Forests
According to the joint study by the MWSS and the Forest Management Bureau of the DENR
in 2004, around 120-150 hectares of land in Mt. Maranat are estimated to be damaged by
massive kaingin activities. More than 10 years after this study was done, it appears that
more areas are being deforested just by looking at recent satellite photos provided by
Google Earth. Until SK started planting trees in 2013, no reforestation effort was made in this
mountain.
Several causes of the deforestation in Mt. Maranat and other parts of Ipo Watershed were
identified by studies sanctioned by the government, as well as independent undertakings
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such as the ones conducted by UPM in partnership with Sagip Sierra Madre Environmental
Society, Incorporated (SSMESI) and the Mountaineering Federation of the Philippines,
Incorporated (MFPI) in 2008, 2009 and 2014. A recent ecological assessment of Ipo
Watershed in 2014 funded by the United States Agency for International Development
(USAID) and the Biodiversity and Watersheds Improved for Stronger Economy and
Ecosystem Resilience Program (B+WISER) also points to the same reasons for the loss of
the vegetative cover of the watershed. The causes of the degradation of the forests are all
man-made and these are discussed below.
1. Deforestation caused by illegal loggers, charcoal-makers and forest arsonists
Prior to the implementation of the no permit-no climb policy by the DENR, hikers
would encounter charcoal porters along the trail on an almost daily basis. Sometimes,
timber poachers would also be seen. In spite of the regular presence of mountaineers
in Mt. Maranat for more than 2 years after it became a popular outdoor destination,
illegal settlers were still not deterred from continuing on with their destructive
livelihood of logging, kaingin and charcoal-making. In fact, when hikers post their
summer landscape photos online, newly burnt forests would sometimes be seen.
Even when they just take selfies of themselves, kaingin areas would still be seen in
the background.
On January 23 and 24, 2016, Sagip Ipo Watershed Assessment Team (SIWAT) did
not encounter any charcoal porter. This was unusual according to the mountaineers
who regularly visit Mt. Maranat. Their presumption was that someone might have
leaked information to the locals that an assessment climb organized by the DENR
would take place on the said dates, which is why the porters did not go about their
usual activities. The only sacks of charcoal documented by SIWAT were those they
saw along the trail near the Mother Falls northeast of Tatay Nestors house. There
were around two charcoal kilns in the area and about 4 sacks of newly produced
charcoal.
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This is the route taken by SIWAT in the afternoon of January 23, 2016. The team started at Tatay
Nestors house and trekked through the river until they reached the Mother Falls. From there, they went
back to Tatay Nestors house passing through the trail used by charcoal porters.
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This is one of the charcoal kilns documented by SIWAT on the first day of the Assessment Climb.
As expected, days after the assessment climb was conducted, charcoal porters and
timber poachers were seen by mountaineers once again doing their normal routine in
spite of the establishment of outposts/checkpoints by the DENR.
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RECOMMENDATIONS
a. Poverty is one of the primary reasons why locals engage in the illegal activity
of turning forest trees to charcoal and lumber. Alternative livelihoods that do
not rely on the unsustainable extraction forest resources should be
provided to settlers and this should be done outside Ipo Watershed or in
buffer areas within the watershed.
b. Strict enforcement of the law should be done on a regular basis. The
budget and manpower for forest protection should be increased. It has been
more than a decade and this is still the chief complaint why our authorities
cannot curb illegal activities within the watershed.
c. A clearer legal framework for prosecuting illegal loggers, timber
poachers and perpetrators of other such unauthorized activities within
the watershed should be established. Partnership with the National Bureau
of Investigation (NBI), Philippine National Police (PNP), Armed Forces of the
Philippines (AFP), Commission on Human Rights (CHR) and the National
Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) should be done so that
entrapment operations to catch the masterminds of the illegal logging activities
can be executed.
d. Transition points for the transport of charcoal sacks should be identified
and regularly monitored. Some stores even sell charcoal to the public out in
the open. It is a known fact that some stores and houses in Licao-licao serve
as depots for the sacks of charcoal produced from Mt. Maranat and nearby
mountains. The charcoal industry is thriving because of the connivance of
store owners, middlemen and possibly some barangay officials who are aware
of the law but disregard them. Middlemen who own closed vans and tricycles
operate at night when there are no DENR personnel to apprehend them. With
these key players out of the picture, charcoal production could possibly
decrease.
Images above were taken prior to the Assessment Climb but the trails are still being used by people who
transport charcoal from the forests to the markets
e. Mountaineers can be tapped to provide documentation of the forest

destruction they witness in Mt. Maranat. Information collected by hikers will
hopefully help forest authorities come up with plans to control illegal activities.
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f.
Education and awareness campaigns will help local people value healthy
forests more. These can be done in elementary and secondary schools near
Mt. Maranat. Non-government organizations (NGO) can help in this area. Even
signages and billboards that inform people about the rules and regulations
inside the watershed can serve as educational tools for the locals especially
the children whose minds are still malleable and may be influenced to
conserve and protect the forests when they grow up. With these billboards set
up, locals might think that the DENR is serious in doing their business of
protecting the forests. People who get to read the penalties and the possibility
of being imprisoned for violating the laws might think twice before engaging in
illegal activities. Texts on the billboard should be in Filipino and there should
be accompanying graphic symbols/illustrations so everyone including those
who cannot read can understand.
This is a sample of a
billboard that the
authorities can erect in
hotspots like in front of
stores that are known for
keeping and selling
charcoal. The contents
and design of this
billboard still need
improvement.
2. Conversion of forests into agricultural lands

Slash-and burn farming or kaingin has been employed by the locals in Ipo Watershed
for a number of years already and it remains as a problem that perennially hounds the
authorities. Locals engage in this illegal activity to grow crops that they can sell in the
market for income. On the first day the Assessment Climb, SIWAT met some farmers
carrying sacks of kamote on their way to Licao-licao from Nanay Julmas sari-sari
store. On the second day, other farmers headed for the talipapa in Tungtong were
also seen with sacks of their produce.
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Cornfields and vegetable patches were also seen by the members of SIWAT along
the way from the Mother Falls to Tatay Nestors house. It is estimated that the
plantation for crops were wider than 15 basketball courts on the eastern side of the
and more than 10 on the western side.
The problem with agricultural lands inside a watershed is that they cannot control
erosion like how natural rainforests do. As forest cover is lost, soil erosion and siltation
increase thereby affecting the quality and quantity of water that is stored in Ipo Dam.
This is one of the cornfields in Mt. Maranat documented by SIWAT. Years ago, this was forest land.
RECOMMENDATIONS
a. As mentioned previously, poverty is the driving force that pushes people to
destroy the forests to sustain their needs. Therefore, economic factors
should be addressed first as they are one of the root cause of
deforestation. The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA)
and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) can help
intervene in this problem.
b. Because Ipo Watershed is classified as a forest reserve and because it is a
critical watershed that supplies Metro Manila with water, kaingin should be
strictly banned inside the watershed. Kaingin is actually more destructive
than logging as young and mature trees alike are burned in the former
whereas only mature trees are cut in the latter. Illegal settlers whose idea of
farming is to burn whole mountains bare should be relocated outside the
watershed. It might help if fences are built in critical areas in the watershed
where no human activity should be allowed.
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3. Introduction of non-native species of trees

Numerous tree planting activities have already been undertaken in various parts of Ipo
Watershed. Unfortunately, species that are not native to the Philippines like
mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla), Melina (Gmelina arborea), Auri (Acacia
auriculuformis), coffee and cacao are still being planted in Ipo Watershed particularly
in the side of Mt. Balagbag near Mt. Maranat. These exotic species of trees not only
contribute to biodiversity loss, but also attract timber poachers as they grow fast and
are the lumber of choice for charcoal makers. Exotic species also take away the
resources, such as space, soil nutrients and water, that should ideally be used by
native species. Because of this displacement, the younger generations of Filipinos are
no longer aware of what our Philippine trees are. Another problem that is associated
with the introduction of exotic species is the threat of invasion. Some species tend to
be invasive as they hinder the growth and proliferation of native plants within their
vicinity once they start growing. In some parts of Mt. Balagbag, reforestation projects
use only one species. There are some areas along the Balagbag-Maranat trail
wherein only Auri trees are planted.
RECOMMENDATIONS
a. Heed the call of the Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB) of the DENR
to promote the planting of native trees to bring back the original species
of plants and animals that were once thriving in Mt. Maranat. Native
species of insects, birds, reptiles and mammals have evolved with native
species of trees for millions of years and it may be difficult for these animals to
adapt to newcomers that are not from the Philippines.
b. Consult plant experts who actively advocate the use of native species for
forest restoration projects. The Rain Forest Restoration Intiative (RFRI),
Haribon Foundation and the Philippine Native Plants and Conservation
Society, Incorporated (PNPCSI) are some of the organizations that can help
guide volunteers in selecting the appropriate species for reforestation and
agroforestry. Native trees are good for Mt. Maranat because there is less
likelihood that they will become invasive. They also possess the natural ability
to recover from damage caused by diseases, pests and even turbulent
weather. Native trees will help will help bring back the natural habitats of many
species of native plants, animals and especially the pollinators of many food
crops in nearby areas.
B. Pressure from Communities in and around Mt. Maranat
1. Illegal settlement
The original settlers in Ipo Watershed are the Dumagat indigenous people. Their
ancestors have lived in the mountains for generations. Even before Ipo Dam was built,
they were there already. When roads were built in Mt. Balagbag, people from different
provinces started coming in. Most came because of economic reasons while some
probably came from war-torn areas in Mindanao. Most locals residing within the
boundaries of Ipo Watershed are informal settlers. Because they know that they have
no legal right to be there and that only the Dumagats have ancestral domain over Ipo
Watershed, some illegal settlers claim that they are Dumagats when in fact, they are
not. They say this hoping that when the government finally decides to relocate
informal settlers, they would not be included.
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Residential areas that are actually illegal settlements within Ipo Watershed pose some
problems to the integrity of the forests. The waste disposal in these areas is
problematic since residents just throw their trash anywhere. Some settlers defecate
directly in streams and rivers while others have their own toilets and latrines.
However, the effects of these human waste disposal systems need further study.
Household pets like cats which are actually not native to the Philippines also have a
negative impact on the other animals living in the remaining forests. The BMB of the
DENR advised against the introduction of cats in protected and forested areas as it is
proven that cats kill native animals like small birds and reptiles. One of the functions of
birds in the forest is that they act as natural reforestation agents. When birds are killed
by domestic cats, there will be less of them left to disperse seeds and reforest the
denuded areas. Livestock farming is also not allowed because Ipo Watershed is not
classified as an agricultural area. However, some settlers still raise goats, chickens
and pigs within the watershed.
Though it was not seen during the assessment climb, there are reports that wildlife
poaching still happen in some areas of Ipo Watershed. Monkeys, birds and reptiles
are taken away from their natural habitat to be kept as pets or to be sold for profit.
Usually, these animals are kept in cages found in illegal settlements in Ipo Watershed
and some houses in Mt. Balagbag.
These are photos of captured animals being kept in houses in Barangay San Isidro in Mt. Balagbag. These
were taken a year ago by concerned mountaineers. The monkey can be found in one of the houses in front of
the Grotto in Lica-licao.
As illegal settlements expand, consumption of forest resources also increases. More

people will need more lumber to construct houses and more charcoal to cook their
food. This puts undue strain on the remaining forests. When the population of illegal
settlers increases because of high birth rate and because of the unabated influx of
migrants, the forests might not be able to cope up with the demand for forest
resources. The forests can only sustain so much.
On the day of the assessment climb, several houses were seen on the slopes of Mt.
Balagbag that is inside Ipo Watershed. In Mt. Maranat, there were also two houses
seen located north of Tatay Nestors house.
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This is one of the houses located north of Tatay Nestors house. The settler who lives here is most
probably the one who made the charcoal kiln just meters away from the house. Notice the previously
deforested area on the lower part of the hill in the background.
RECOMMENDATIONS
a. While relocation of settlers who do not have the right to be inside the
watershed might be the ultimate solution, it is a task that is easier said than
done. Coordination with other government agencies and NGOs should be
made for a smooth and peaceful relocation procedure. The offices that might
be able to help are the Local Government Units (LGUs) near Mt. Maranat,
National Housing Authority (NHA), NEDA, DSWD, PNP, AFP, NCIP, CHR,
Habitat for Humanity, Gawad Kalinga and others that focus on the welfare of
marginalized Filipinos. Settlers may be relocated outside Ipo Watershed
or within buffer zones in the watershed. For those who will stay inside the
watershed, a strict monitoring system of the residents should be set in place
so that the government can ensure they no longer go back to non-buffer
zones. Entry from outside should also be controlled.
b. DENR and MWSS should set community dialogues with the local people
and the barangay officials to educate them about the status of Ipo
Watershed. It has to be made clear to the settlers inside watershed that their
activities greatly affect the water supply of Metro Manila. The settlers have to
understand that there will come a time when they might not initially approve of
the actions the government will be taking because these directly affect their
livelihood but they have to realize that what the control measures are for the
greater good. Focus Group Discussions (FGD) should also be conducted with
the members and leaders of the communities so they themselves will be able
to come up with ways to help solve the problems of Ipo Watershed. People
with background in community organizing will be able to help achieve this
goal.
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2. Improper land use

Some people living within Ipo Watershed are not aware that it is a forest reserve
where settlement is not allowed. They think that the land in Ipo Watershed can be
used for agricultural and residential purposes, which is why buying and selling of
rights are rampant especially in Mt. Balagbag. Some may be aware that settling and
agricultural tilling are not allowed in Ipo Watershed but they just disregard the law.
RECOMMENDATIONS
a. Education and awareness campaign should be done to help the settlers
understand the value of the forests. They have to understand that they
must support the protection and conservation efforts for Ipo Watershed.
b. The LGU and barangay officials should inform the communities in and
around Mt. Maranat that buying and selling of land within Ipo Watershed
do not have a legal basis. They should also know where the boundary of
Ipo Watershed is. Maps showing different land use zones should be shown to
them so that they will come to know what human activities are permitted in
each land zone in Ipo Watershed.
3. Reforestation scams
While evidence that reforestation areas are deliberately burned is hard to obtain, it
cannot be denied that this is actually happening on the slopes of Mt. Balagbag facing
Mt. Maranat.
Some locals report deliberate cutting and burning of trees to make way for new
reforestation projects that are a source of income for some unscrupulous personalities
operating inside the watershed. As it turns out, privately funded reforestation drives
have become a source of livelihood for some settlers. They charge a fee for their
labor in assisting private groups in their reforestation activities, while at the same time
unscrupulously clearing new areas to encourage more reforestation activities which
will ensure their future income.
On the way to Mt. Maranat during the assessment climb, a wide area of previously
reforested land along the trail on the slopes of Mt. Balagbag was noted to be razed by
fire. It is estimated that the burned area is about the size of 35 basketball courts.
Forest burning like this has been observed to occur annually in that same area in Mt.
Balagbag.
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Notice the people on the trail wearing white and blue. They are the team of DENR personnel who
accompanied the volunteer mountaineers during the assessment climb. Take note also of the horizontal
lines left by the unburned cogon grass. These are pathways made during previous tree planting activities
so that the tree planters can easily reach the holes dug for the seedlings.
The Team of DENR personnel taking photos of the kaingin using a camera attached to a multi-rotor
drone
RECOMMENDATIONS
a. DENR should provide stakeholders and other volunteer groups with a
map of the different reforestation areas that are financially supported by
other groups. The volunteers will be able to help them monitor the status of
the reforestation areas. By doing so, DENR will have more eyes and ears on
the ground.
b. Peoples Organization (PO) who have contracts with the DENR should
provide regular status reports. Copies of these reports should be shared
with other stakeholders for verification.
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4. Threats of violence from the locals because of the decline of visitors

When Mt. Maranat became popular in 2013, the number of hikers gradually increased.
This provided additional income for the locals living outside Ipo Watershed. This
income was in the form of guide fees for barangay-registered tourist guides and
transportation fares for drivers and operators of tricycles and jeepneys. Store owners
and vendors who sold food and refreshments along the way to Mt. Maranat also
benefited from the tourists. The year 2014 and 2015 could be considered as the peak
years for mass tourism in Maranat Falls. However, when DENR started to regulate the
number of visitors to Mt. Maranat by implementing the no permit-no climb policy, most
of those who earned money from tourism reacted negatively because their incomes
decreased all of a sudden.
There was a report by Edwin Ramos Sta. Maria of SK that heads of Baranggay San
Isidro paid him a visit in his house in Licao-licao bringing bladed weapons as if to
intimidate him. They were there because they want to complain about the sharp
decline in the number of tourists. They were then advised to air their concern to the
appropriate authorities.
RECOMMENDATIONS
a. DENR should continue the regulation it has implemented for Mt.
Maranat and Mt. Oriod. The locals will hopefully be able to adjust sooner or
later because there was once a time when there were no visitors to Mt.
Maranat.
b. Dialogues and FGDs with the members and leaders of the barangays
surrounding Mt. Maranat should be scheduled so that they will be able
to understand why tourism is being regulated. They have to know what
has happened in other popular hiking destinations were tourism is
unregulated. Cooperation among the barangay, DENR and other
stakeholders will likely ensue when they make tourism plans together.
C. Pressure from Tourist Activities in Mt. Maranat
Prior to the implementation of the no permit-no entry policy of the DENR, hikers in Mt.
Maranat would number to 100-250 during regular weekend and up to 300 during long
weekends. During the celebration of the EDSA People Power Revolution on February 25,
2016, it was estimated that more than 100 people visited Mt. Maranat. This is greater than
30, the number initially agreed upon by SIWAT and DENR to be the maximum number of
visitors to be allowed to set foot on Mt. Maranat for one day. It is most likely that majority of
them did not secure a permit from the DENR.
Garbage coming from both locals and tourists is the most common problem associated with
the unregulated entry of people to Mt. Maranat. They leave their trash in the campsite, in the
tarils and on the boulders of Maranat Falls. Another negative effect of mass tourism is the
noise created by campers in the remaining forests.
On the weekend of the assessment climb, because entry was only granted to SIWAT, only
the sounds of nature prevailed. Different kinds of birds were easily seen as they seem not to
be wary of the few mountaineers present in the campsite. They could go nearer to Tatay
Nestors house probably because there was not much commotion. In fact, a woodpecker, the
Page 16 of 20
Luzon Flameback, was easily spotted flying around the trees just meters away from Tatay
Nestors house. This is an indication that with fewer people, birds become less edgy.
1. Illegal entry
The assessment climb was conducted more than a month after the DENR announced
its policy on not allowing mountaineers to visit Mt. Maranat and Mt. Oriod without
permission from them. Even if a lot of mountaineers know this regulation already,
there are still some hikers and tourists from nearby municipalities who do not abide by
this regulation by the DENR. They continue to visit Maranat Falls without obtaining a
permit. On the first day of the assessment climb, SIWAT even encountered a small
group of hikers headed for Maranat falls in the junction of the Traditional Trail and
the new trail made by the locals coming from the summit of Mt. Balagbag. The hikers
were accompanied by a tourist guide from Baranggay San Isidro and they do not have
a DENR permit.
The sad thing about this is that baranggay officials from San Isidro allow hikers to go
to Mt. Maranat even if the mountain is no longer under their jurisdiction. They still
allow hikers without a permit from the DENR to go to Mt. Maranat. They encourage
visitors to go to Mt. Maranat because it is additional income for their registered tour
guides. Tour guides even offer hikers to pass through the backdoor trail going to
Maranat Falls after they visit the summit of Mt. Balagbag. They established this new
trail to evade the DENR personnel manning the outposts in the Traditional Trail. The
DENR has already placed two billboards in Licao-licao stating that hikers need to
secure a permit first before going to the mountains inside Ipo Watershed but the
baranggay officials seem not to support this move.
Mountaineers who are members of SK have also noted that the deputized forest
guards were not always present in their assigned outposts. Because of their absence,
hikers without permit are able to easily enter Ipo Watershed without getting caught.
RECOMMENDATION
a. Dialogues and FGDs with members and leaders of the barangays
surrounding Mt. Maranat should be set together with the DENR, MWSS,
volunteer mountaineers and other stakeholders so that everyone will
understand why there is a need to regulate the number of visitors to Mt.
Maranat and its waterfalls. All should understand the concept of carrying
capacity. This is important because it will serve as a guide to the limit of the
number of visitors that will be allowed for a particular location at a given time.
However, determining the carrying capacity of the campsite and the waterfalls
in Mt. Maranat is not the final solution to the problem. The pressure from the
volume of visitors will not end with the established carrying capacity. People
will still come in droves and implementing a visitor flow management is
needed. Visitor flow management that is used by theme parks and museums
may also be applied in outdoor destinations like Mt. Maranat.
b. To effectively regulate the entry of hikers, forest guards should always be
present in their outposts especially during weekends and holidays.
c. In addition to the outpost currently used by forest rangers in Mt. Balagbag,
DENR should set up another outpost in the junction between the
Traditional Trail and the new backdoor trail made by the locals. This
junction is located near the fire line made by the forest rangers in a
reforestation area in Mt. Balagbag. This is where tour guides bring hikers
Page 17 of 20
without DENR permit so they can avoid being seen by the deputized forest
guards.
d. Policies should be formulated by the Department of Tourism (DOT),
DENR, MWSS and LGU so that hikers will know what to follow when they
visit Mt. Maranat. These government agencies can learn from what their
counterparts did in Mt. Pamintinan Protected Landscape in Rodriguez, Rizal.
The policies may include the requirements to get the permit, visiting hours,
maximum number of visitors, methods of registration, guide fees, blacklist of
violators and more.
e. Information and Education Campaign (IEC) via social media and other
means will help outdoor enthusiasts be updated to the current rules and
regulations for Mt. Maranat and Mt. Oriod. The PENRO has an official
Facebook Page and this can be utilized to make hikers aware of the policies of
DENR.
f. The Dumagats of Sitio Karahume should also be trained as tourist
guides for Mt. Maranat since they have ancestral domain in Ipo
Watershed. Guides should not just come from the settlers in Mt. Balagbag but
also from the original inhabitants of the mountain, the Dumagats.
g. To instill discipline among erring hikers, the DENR should apprehend
violators of the no permit-no climb policy and impose appropriate
sanctions. Irresponsible hikers do not respect the law because they believe
that they can get away from breaking it.
2. Improper waste disposal
Trash has been a perennial problem anywhere in the Philippines and Mt. Maranat is
spared from this. Trash seen along the trails going to Mt. Maranat is not only from
hikers but also from locals as well. Trash left in the campsite is no longer a problem
since Tatay Nestor is now strict in reminding visitors to bring back their garbage to the
city. Volunteer mountaineers are also now doing regular clean ups in the waterfalls so
the trash left by irresponsible hikers is properly disposed of.
On the last day of the assessment climb, some members of SIWAT noted burned
bamboo sticks and tree branches left on the trail at the southern bank of Sapang Ipo.
From their appearance on the ground, they were most likely used as fuel for a
makeshift stove to cook or heat food. Though these used materials are biodegradable,
leaving them on the trail goes against the Leave No Trace (LNT) Principles that guide
mountaineers on how to conduct themselves outdoors. The last group who were seen
to pass by that area along the trail was the group of DENR personnel who participated
in the assessment climb. Aside from the bamboos and tree branches, one newly
opened can of sardines was also seen left on the ground.
Page 18 of 20
Branches and sticks used for making fire

were seen along the trail in the southern
bank of Ipo River. If the fire users
followed the Leave No Trace Principles,
they would have scattered the the
unused wood to keep the area as natural
looking as possible.
RECOMMENDATIONS
a. Tourist guides will benefit from undergoing a training program from
reputable trainers. Being educated about the LNT Principles will help both
tourist guides and forest guides the outdoor ethics being practiced by
responsible mountaineers. They should serve as role models for the tourists
b. Accreditation by the DENR and DOT will ensure that tourist guides are
well equipped in performing their roles and responsibilities in
maintaining order and cleanliness in the trails, campsite and waterfalls of
Mt. Maranat. Tourist guides can reprimand hikers who throw their trash
anywhere. They can also be the ones to check whether hikers bring down their
own garbage.
c. Orientation for all hikers before they start their trek to Mt. Maranat will be
able to make them more aware of the dos and donts. This can be
conducted by volunteer mountaineers based in Mt. Balagabag or by officials
from the DENR or LGU. Funding can come from private sponsors or the
government.
Summary
All the aforementioned recommendations can only be applied effectively and efficiently if a
Management Plan is made for Ipo Watershed by all the concerned stakeholders. Without it,
all protection, restoration and conservation efforts for the watershed will be patchy and
uncoordinated and they may end up being useless. DENR and MWSS should turn over the
management of Ipo Watershed to a responsible Resource Manager under their strict
Page 19 of 20
oversight. Since any management plan can only be as effective as the Resource Manager
concerned, selecting one that has good track record is vital. Forest protection is the function
of resource management and the responsibility of the Resource Manager. Other
stakeholders can help in the reforestation work Ipo Watershed under the supervision of the
Resource Manager.
In the meantime, while there is no Management Plan yet for Ipo Watershed, mountaineers
should continue to work with DENR. They should make a priority list of the problems they
can address together. They should make plans collaboratively and start with what is
achievable given their available but limited resources.
References
1. Baclayan, Paul and De la Cruz, Narcisco. (2004). Kaingin-destroyed Ipo Watershed: A
Progress Report on the Ongoing Ipo Watershed Assessment. Metropolitan Waterworks and
Sewerage System.
2. United States Environmental Protection Agency. (2012). Three Big Pollutants. Retrieved from
http://water.epa.gov/learn/resources/bigpollutants.cfm
3. Aganon, M., Cayabyab, I.D., Cueco, B., & Tribacio, R. (2011). Open Planning of Sanitation
Sytems for the Dumagat Tribe in Ipo Watershed. Retrieved from University of the Philippines
Diliman, Department of Environmental Engineering, Sustainable Sanitation Course.
4. The Philippine Star. (2004). Usufruct contracts of Ipo settlers questioned. Retrieved from
http://www.philstar.com/nation/250945/usufruct-contracts-ipo-settlers-questioned
5. University of the Philippines Mountaineers and Sagip Sierra Madre Environmental Society,
Incorporated. (2008). An Independent Report on the State of Ipo Watershed. Retrieved from:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/6233946/20080926-Independent-Report-on-the-State-of-IpoWatershed
6. University of the Philippines Mountaineers and Mountaineering Federation of the Philippines,
Incorporated. (2009). An Independent Report on the State of Ipo Watershed. Retrieved from
http://www.scribd.com/doc/23089239/2009-05-01-An-Independent-Report-on-the-State-ofIpo-Watershed
7. University of the Philippines Mountaineers. (2014). An Independent Report on the State of Ipo
Watershed. Retrieved from http://www.scribd.com/doc/207155924/2014-02-14-AnIndependent-Report-on-the-State-of-Ipo-Watershed
8. Lantican, Celso. (2015). Philippine Native Trees What to Plant in Different Provinces.
Retrieved from University of the Philippines Los Baos, College of Forestry and Natural
Resources.
9. Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics. (2012). Principle 5: Minimize Campfire Impacts.
Retrieved from https://lnt.org/learn/principle-5
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Mt. Maranat Assessment Report 2016

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Mt. Maranat Assessment Report 2016

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Assessment Report on the

State of the Areas in and around

The Problems of Mt. Maranat

e. Mountaineers can be tapped to provide documentation of the forest

2. Conversion of forests into agricultural lands

3. Introduction of non-native species of trees

As illegal settlements expand, consumption of forest resources also increases. More

2. Improper land use

4. Threats of violence from the locals because of the decline of visitors

Branches and sticks used for making fire

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