DUMAGUETE City – Candabong forest is the only remaining forest in Manjuyod, Negros Occidental. It serves as a watershed of the town and supplies water to the lowlands. At least 10 forest rangers are assigned to guard the forests against unscrupulous individuals.

However, the 10 forest rangers are not enough to guard the entire forest. Barangay chairman Louie Palumar of Candabong, Manjuyod said they have asked the residents to help protect the forest.

They have also been conducting regular monitoring of the trees around the forest of Candabong.

Palumar has denied reports of alleged illegal cutting of forest trees inside the protected Candabong forest.

Candabong Forest has a total land area of 400 hectares although only 300 hectares are thickly planted with forest trees.

Palumar said prevalent illegal cutting of trees in the forest by community members in the past was stopped during the incumbency of former mayor and now Vice Gov. Jose Baldado.

The remaining century-old trees inside the forest are the only ones left from the previous illegal cutting of trees, he added.

Some of the trees in the forest are natural growing like lauan, narra and other endangered species.
Palumar said they seem not to be affected by the dry spell due to the abundant water supply for two waterfalls in the area.

At present, some endangered species of birds, crocodiles and wild boar are seen roaming the Candabong forest.

Palumar said it was not easy convincing residents to stop the cutting of trees but through constant education and information campaigns, the community has not shifted its focus on helping protect the forest from further degradation. (PNA)