Dinagat Island is nowhere near as famous as her neighbor Siargao. Dubbed as the surfing capital of the Philippines, Siargao has attracted the limelight for many of the most recent years. Siargao is also a declared National Park whose forests and mountains are protected under the law.
But in terms of importance as a biodiversity haven, Dinagat Island definitely ranks up there with Siargao. The northern tip of the Dinagat, specifically the mountain ranges of Redondo and Kambinliw are home to some of the most interesting and rarest plants and animals in the country.
Located in the town of Loreto, the rainforests of these mountains host 36 species of mammals, 63 species of reptiles and amphibians, and over 70 species of birds. All this biological wealth however is in danger of being lost forever to make way for the extraction of Dinagat’s other more convenient wealth—namely the minerals contained in its mountains.
Dinagat is a declared mineral reserve, and no less than eight mining companies have already staked their claims in different parts of the mountains of Loreto. With the Arroyo administration intent on revitalizing the mining industry, the scenic town of Loreto threatens to be turned into something like the other towns on Dinagat Island—scarred landscapes of red earth from which human beings can barely make a living.
Loreto today is still beautiful. You don’t even have to venture out far from the town center to appreciate it. The lush mountains can be seen from the Poblacion itself and almost everywhere else you go. Loreto is idyllic.
If the mining companies have their way though, Loreto will most certainly end up like its unsightly neighbors. for more info visit: HARIBON
But in terms of importance as a biodiversity haven, Dinagat Island definitely ranks up there with Siargao. The northern tip of the Dinagat, specifically the mountain ranges of Redondo and Kambinliw are home to some of the most interesting and rarest plants and animals in the country.
Located in the town of Loreto, the rainforests of these mountains host 36 species of mammals, 63 species of reptiles and amphibians, and over 70 species of birds. All this biological wealth however is in danger of being lost forever to make way for the extraction of Dinagat’s other more convenient wealth—namely the minerals contained in its mountains.
Dinagat is a declared mineral reserve, and no less than eight mining companies have already staked their claims in different parts of the mountains of Loreto. With the Arroyo administration intent on revitalizing the mining industry, the scenic town of Loreto threatens to be turned into something like the other towns on Dinagat Island—scarred landscapes of red earth from which human beings can barely make a living.
Loreto today is still beautiful. You don’t even have to venture out far from the town center to appreciate it. The lush mountains can be seen from the Poblacion itself and almost everywhere else you go. Loreto is idyllic.
If the mining companies have their way though, Loreto will most certainly end up like its unsightly neighbors. for more info visit: HARIBON
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