ENVIRONMENT

Environmental Management

Article II, Section 16 of the Constitution of the Philippines provides that "The state shall protect and promote the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature." Thus, in our effort for economic and material development, it should be accompanied with environmental protection program. The Local Government Unit of Pandan will always emphasize, "Never to consider economic growth at the expense of environmental destruction and or degradation towards sustainable development."

Pandan is fortunate to have a large portion of the Northwest Panay Peninsula, where the last significant stretch of low-elevation rain forest in Western Visayas can be found. Pandan can also claim special significance as a crossroad community, which takes us into both the Peninsula and the Central Panay Mountains. With only 2-3% of virgin forest remaining on Panay, these areas are the last stand for wildlife on the island.

Pandan is indeed blessed in having relatively intact watersheds, unlike many areas of the Philippines which are now experiencing undue hardship from forest degradation. The forests of Pandan contain beautiful and unique flora and fauna, including one of the rarest hornbills in the world (the dulungan) the rarest pig in the world (the warty pig), and a number of other unique endangered species. The forest also contains significant stands of dipterocarp and other rare hardwoods.

The growing consensus amongst Pandananons that the forests must be protected, increased and managed sustainably as an integral component to a healthy ecosystem, as a watershed, and as a material resource for future generations. General awareness of conservation issues, and speculations about the advantages of preserving natural resources have increased; political and community support is growing; provincial and municipal planners are sharpening their focus on the environment, tourism, and natural resource management; and the momentum for declaring the forests protected, either as a Natural Park or as a watershed is increasing.

The clean waters of the beautiful Malumpati Spring, the magnificent forest with its unique wildlife, and the diversity of the coastal ecosystem including its corals, fishes, whale sharks, and sea turtles, can potentially pay real dividends in terms of eco-tourism, and as a resource base for future generations.