I.

ORGANIZATIONAL PROFILE

1. INTRODUCTION

The Balagbag Environmental Society (BES) is a non-stock and non-

profit organization aimed to:

 protect the remaining forest of Mt. Balagbag and Ipo Watershed

through surveillances and coordination to DENR.
 empower the Bantay Gubat (Forest Rangers).
 promote the reforestation (#ReforestTheRoad) in Mt. Balagbag.
 Support the DENR in the execution of laws pertaining to Ipo Watershed
such as the permits and no entry policy.
 Report and coordinate with the DENR all the violations and illegal
activities observed and documented in Mt. Balagbag and Ipo
Watershed.

1.1 MISSION

To promote and uphold intergenerational responsibility.

1.2 INTERGENERATIONAL RESPONSIBILITY

In the case of Oposa v. Factoran, G.R. No. 101083, July 30, 1993, the
Supreme Court wisely ruled:

Their personality to sue in behalf of the succeeding

generations can only be based on the concept of
intergenerational responsibility insofar as the right
to a balanced and healthful ecology is concerned.
Xxx
Needless to say, every generation has a responsibility to
the next to preserve that rhythm and harmony for the full
enjoyment of a balanced and healthful ecology.

Hence, the BES believe that every citizen has a responsibility to

preserved the rhythm and harmony of nature for the next generations to
come.

1.3 VISION

Even it seems to be ambitious but the BES aim to make Mt. Balagbag
and Ipo Watershed a green forest again by 2030.
1.4 ORGANIZATIONAL OBJECTIVES

The BES has the following objectives:

 To be a non-stock and non-profit association focusing to reforestation

and environmental protection and awareness.
 To conduct reforestation activity in critical watersheds and protected
sites.
 To promote environmental awareness to members, volunteers and
stakeholders through campaigns, seminars and information
dissemination.
 To support and promote environmental protection through
coordination with the Department of Environment and Natural
Resources (DENR) and Bantay Gubat.
 To upheld intergenerational responsibility.
 To constitute to the state its modest share of the nation building
through self help programs as an NGO representing the environment.
 To upheld the rights of the environment through filing of appropriate
complaints and initiate programs for environmental conservation.

II. PROJECT BACKGROUND

2. PROJECT OBJECTIVES

One of the objective of BES is to conduct reforestation activity in

critical watersheds and protected sites. In this end, the BES will focus on a
specific site in Mt. Balagbag within Ipo Watershed particularly those areas
where illegally constructed roads were present. In said area, the BES will
conduct Reforestation Projects with the following main activities:

 Tree Planting
 Tree Nurturing
 Tree Monitoring/Surveying

2.1 FUNDING

As reforestation requires longer period to see a noticeable and

sustainable progress, the project is planned across a 10-year long program.
Its funding will depend solely on BES members’ contributions and donations.
 Within the duration of the project, the BES will regularly assess its
activities, and determine if the objectives of the project are being met. This
will enable the BES to review how future funding will be disbursed, and
encourage other organizations to partner and provide funding for the
project.

2.2 ASSESSMENT OF 2018 TO 2020 REFORESTATION PROJECT

Even without formal agreement, the BES commenced reforestation

activities in the areas wherein illegal roads were constructed in Mt. Balagbag
through #ReforestTheRoad program.

2.2.1 BACKGROUND OF #REFORESTTHEROAD

 On July 1, 2016, a video of the path leading to Aling Julma’s

“MiniStop” store (GPS coordinates:14°49’41,04”N121°10’10.15E) was
posted in the facebook by hikers who frequently visit the area. The
drastic changes in the area prompted mountaineers involved in
volunteer reforestation activities in different areas in Ipo Watershed to
bring this matter to authorities. Checking the GPS coordinates of this
road, it was found out that fell within the boundary of Ipo Watershed.

 An effort was undertaken to protest this road construction threatening

this important watershed. Jonathan dela Cruz and Aijie Marie
Torrefranca acted as lead organizers for the #ReforestTheRoad
initiative.
 In support of the action initiated by Jonathan and Aiji, members of the
U.P. Mountaineers brought native tree saplings that were at least 3
feet tall.

 Said #ReforestTheRoad was continued by the mountaineers and the

Balagbag Environmental Society (BES), the pictures is hereto
attached.

 On March 6, 2018, a letter re: Complaint regarding Illegal Activities in

Mt. Balagbag Rodriguez, Rizal and Ipo Watershed was filed before the
Office of the President. In said letter, the proponents sought the
following relief:

a.)The Memorandum of Agreement between MWSS

and DENR Bulacan pertaining to Ipo Watershed be
immediately signed;

b.)The PENRO Rizal and DENR Region IV-A explain why

the illegal activities in Ipo Watershed that is within
their jurisdiction is still present including the illegal
roads and construction in Mt Balagbag and no action
has been taken to eradicate all these activities;

c.) An investigation be conducted against these offices;

d.)The PENRO Rizal, DENR Bulacan, DENR Region IV-A

and the DENR Central be directed to immediately
conduct necessary actions to apprehend those illegal
loggers and poachers;

e.)The illegal roads and construction in Mt. Balagbag

be immediately stopped;

f.) That the boundary dispute between DENR-Rizal and

Bulacan be immediately resolved;

g.)The PENRO Rizal, DENR Bulacan, DENR Region IV-A

and the DENR Central be directed to conduct strict
supervision in the area. We also invoke if possible,
that Secretary Roy Cimatu visited the Ipo
Watershed to personally witnessed what we are
complained of;
 h.)That all other complaints filed prior to this complaint
regarding the subject roads and that were pending
in DENR Bulacan, Rizal and DENR Region IV-A
should be immediately resolved.

i.) An immediate and favorable action be taken by your

agency on these matters.

 Since 2018, the BES started to communicate with the PENRO Bulacan
and attended technical conferences.

 On 2019 through the help of volunteers and partner organizations, the

Bantay Gubat Bunkhouse was established in the area. This bunkhouse
served as the Headquarters of Bantay Gubat in Mt. Balagbag and
through their presence, the illegal activities in the area were expected
to be eradicated.
 The bunkhouse of Bantay Gubat also served as nursery for seedlings
that will be planted in the illegal roads and the adjacent areas as
referred by the Bantay Gubat.

 On 2019, not only the illegal roads were started to be reforested but
also the adjacent areas as pointed and referred by the Bantay Gubat.
(the picture is hereto attached).

 On 2020, since the commence of the COVID-19 pandemic where

lockdowns and strict community quarantines were imposed to various
areas in the Philippines, the Bantay Gubat continued to reforest the
area and protected it against destructions.

 On November 29, 2020, when quarantine protocols had already ease,

the BES had a chance to visit the area to check the effect of Typhoon
Ulysses (the Report to PENRO is hereto attached).

 On January 11, 2021, the BES wrote a letter to PENRO Bulacan re:
Complaint against City of San Jose del Monte (CSJDM), Bulacan
Tourism for entering and conducting tourism activities
(camping/hiking) inside the Ipo Watershed (Mt. Balagbag portion)
without prior authority or permission from DENR PENRO Bulacan and
CENRO Guguinto.
  On January 27, 2021, the PENRO Bulacan recommended the following:

1.) That the CSJDM should first conduct an Environmental impact

study of its intended eco-tourism within/adjacent the Ipo
Watershed, in collaboration with the important stakeholders;
2.)That the CSJDM should initiate the conduct of consultation meeting
with all stakeholders to present their approved eco-tourism
management plan in order to harmonize to the existing plans
(CLUP, FLUP and Watershed Plan) in accordance with the existing
laws, rules and regulations; and

3.) That the CSJDM shall suspend their eco-tourism activities within
the Ipo watershed or those activities affecting the watershed and
the NGP projects of the DENR, until such time a clear guidelines and
procedures approved by all stakeholders.

 On May 15, 2021, the area was again disturbed when Mr. Roberto
Robes constructed roads which neither have permit from the DENR nor
Environmental Compliance Certificate. Moreover, Robes alleged that
he had title over the same which was registered in Antipolo, Rizal.

 Hence, on May 18, 2021, the BES wrote a letter to PENRO Bulacan re:
Complaint against Roberto V. Robes owner of Robis Corporation and
alleged claimant of certain portion of Mt. Balagbag for constructing
roads which encroached the Ipo Watershed.

 On June 16, 2021, an agreement was signed between members of

SAMAKABA and Robis Corporation.

 Therefore, the immediate necessity to adopt the area.

2.2.2 Statistical Report of the Seedlings Planted from 2016 to 2019

2.2.3 Statistical Report of Survival Rate per year versus number of
seedlings planted.
INTERPRETATION:

The graph above revealed the annual survival rate of seedlings versus
the number of seedlings planted during that year based on year-end
assessment. On 2016, 200 native seedlings were planted (illegally
constructed roads) but only 50 seedlings survived or 20% thereof. In 2017,
300 native seedlings planted in the area of illegally constructed roads but
only 150 survived or 50% thereof. In 2018, 1,200 seedlings planted (illegally
constructed roads) but only 500 survived or 42% thereof. In 2019 with the
presence of Bantay Gubat in the area and construction of the Bantay Gubat
Bunkhouse, out of 3,970 planted during the rainy season, all were survived
in December 2019 inventory or 100%.

However, due to factors such as natural death, cutting and

unfavorable weather conditions in Mt. Balagbag made some seedlings
withered and unable to survived. Hence, the protection given by the Bantay
Gubat and their tree nurturing efforts decrease the mortality cause by
human interventions such as Kaingin, cutting and motorcycle race in the
site.

The pandemic situation and the strike of Bantay Gubat because of

salary delay in addition to unfavorable weather condition in Mt. Balagbag
made some seedlings planted on said years failed to survived as per
assessment in 2021. Moreover, due to pandemic, the tree planting was also
stop and only few replacements were made by the Bantay Gubat.
2.2.4 Areas in Mt. Balagbag planted with seedlings