From 2002 to 2020, Benguet lost 338 hectares of humid primary forest, making up 13% of the total tree

cover loss in Benguet at the same time period. This resulted to a decreased in the total area of humid
primary forest in Benguet by 1.4%. Benguet lost a total of 2,750 hectares of tree cover from 2001 to
2020, amounting to a 1.4% decrease in tree cover and 1.21 million tons of CO2 (carbon dioxide)
emissions (Hansen et al., 2020).

According to an article by Lapniten (2020) titled “Averting an Agricultural and Ecological Crisis in the
Philippines’ Salad Bowl,” the high demand for highland vegetables in the province of Benguet has driven
farms to encroach even the protected areas in the mountain leading to deforestation. Since the 1940s,
certain areas in Benguet has been designated to be protected, however, around 70% of the 5.513
hectare Mount Data National Park has been converted into vegetable gardens and residential areas,
says Ralph Pablo of the region’s DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources). Due to the
continuous encroachment in the province, water systems like creeks and springs have dried up over the
years. Deforestation resulted in the aggravate need for more water sources, thus, the decrease of water
levels resulting siltation from erosion. Moreover, since Benguet is a mountainous province, chemical
inputs by farmers also pose direct hazards to forest and water areas, hence, affecting more biodiversity,
according to PENRO (Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office).

As Hent (2019) cited, sources from the different barangays in Benguet exposed that individuals involved
in the conversion of forested areas to commercial vegetable farms have been using units of heavy
equipment to level the area and plant their own crops. These trees that were sacrifice for commercial
gardens are supposed to serve as erosion control and sustain the abundant water supply from the
watershed. Citizens in the area are fearing that within a short period of time, the previously deforested
mountain will become barren causing a negative impact on the water supply of the different river
systems and unabated occurrence of soil erosions which in turn will pose a threat to the safety of life
and limb in the communities of the province.

In 2007, Samuel Penafiel, DENR Cordillera director, admitted that the situation of deforestation in the
province is alarming as many people in the lowland relies on the Cordillera as their source of water for
domestic and irrigation purposes. According to Cameron Odsy, director of Department of Agriculture for
the Cordillera region, should these problems continue, Benguet will not only stand to lose its vegetable
industry but will significantly scar its natural resources which may take decades or even longer to
rebuild.