The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has set an ambitious goal to plant three million trees in the Upper Marikina Watershed over the next four years, aiming to mitigate flooding in Metro Manila and Rizal province.
According to Environment Undersecretary Carlos Primo David, forest cover plays a crucial role in controlling floodwaters. “If I have good forest cover, I can tell you that majority of that rain will infiltrate into the ground and only a small portion, about 20% initially, will be converted into runoff or surface flooding,” said David, a geologist and professor.
The recent flooding in Metro Manila and neighboring provinces has once again highlighted unresolved issues related to deforestation and urbanization. Environmental groups have pointed to quarrying, deforestation, and uncontrolled development as primary factors in the denudation of the watershed. Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment issued a statement attributing the floods in Rizal to corporate greed and government corruption.
Land use data presented by the DENR shows that 25.21% of the Upper Marikina Watershed is covered by intact forest, while 60.82% consists of trees, shrubs, and grass. The remaining areas are used for agriculture, built-up areas, and open or barren land. The reforestation efforts are targeted at this 26,100-hectare protected area, which is part of the 69,800-hectare Marikina Water Basin encompassing urban areas like Marikina, Antipolo, and San Mateo.
The DENR has already taken steps to address the issue by canceling quarrying permits within the Upper Marikina Watershed. Despite these efforts, David acknowledged that simply reforesting the Upper Marikina Watershed will not solve the flooding problem entirely, as the Lower Marikina Watershed also contributes significantly to floodwaters.
This tree-planting initiative comes 15 years after the launch of the National Greening Program, which has planted more than 1.8 billion seedlings across 2.17 million hectares. However, the efficacy of the program has been questioned due to insufficient data on the number of seedlings that have actually survived and contributed to forest cover enhancement.
To achieve its target, the DENR has partnered with various entities, including the Department of Public Works and Highways, WawaJVCo, non-government organizations, and local governments. These collaborations are expected to play a critical role in the success of the reforestation efforts.
Reforestation of the Upper Marikina Watershed represents a significant step toward addressing the recurring issue of flooding in Metro Manila and Rizal province. However, comprehensive solutions that include both upper and lower watershed management are crucial for long-term flood mitigation.
Source: Rappler