In Year 2010 Inquirer headlines “DENR exec warns of landslides in Banahaw”

During the ongoing devastation of typhoon Basyang in july, its continuous heavy rain
triggered the crack of loose soil which drawn total baldness of about five kilometers downslope
reaching the village of Palola, Tinamnan and Manasa in Lucban.
Dondi Sarmiento, Mines and Geoscience Bureau-Mining and Environment Safety
Division chief told inquirer that it is natural for avalanche of debris to occur. Mario Nañola, head
of the Southern Luzon State University- Forest Protection Unit likewise think as Sarmiento.
However, Nañola clarified that if the same spot would be triggered by some cause it would not
affect the town proper of Lucban, to avoid panic. In addition, he said the town is threatened with
possible overflow of its two rivers.
Years before 1920 Mt. Banahaw were observed to have an alarming fluctuation in
forestry.1921, it was declared as reserve watershed under Proclamation No. 42 on October 14,
1921 by the American Government.1941, Former President Manuel L. Quezon declare Mts.
Banahaw- San Cristobal National Park . 1961, Former Pres. Carlos P. Garcia amended
Proclamation No. 716, setting 2,077 hectares of land to the vicinity of Sariaya and Candelaria
from the original area of Mt. Banahaw and San Cristobal which started the denudation around the
slope of the mountain within the area. 1966, Former president Ferdinand Marcos signed
Proclamation No. 75 retaining the original land area of the National forest park which is 11,133
hectares. 2004, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources ordered a 5-year
suspension of hiking activity in the mountains, covering the Dolores and Sariaya trails and
scheduled for reopening on 2010. 2006, Daily Inquirer featured the plan of permanently closing
Mt. Banahaw and at the same year compiled studies showed that farming was the common
cause of its destruction as conducted in Majayjay, Lucban, and Sariaya .
Dr. Cecelai Gascon: SLSU president push for the government support to stabilize the
slope of the mountain to avoid erosion. “All the blockades should be regularly removed so that it
will not obstruct the natural flow of water. This is a very tough job to do but is needed,” Gascon
said. Though in conclusion it was said that the landslide was not man-made, Sally Pangan,
DENR-park area superintendent insist that villagers must stop kaingin system and plant fruit
bearing trees instead. On the present year the villagers, whose on the verge of restoration, made
its move by running the “ takbo para sa banahaw program” were SLSU's teachers and students
run together with ROTARY CLUB OF LUCBAN.