Move to protect Mount Pinukis in Zambo Sur gains support

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur, Dec. 10 (PNA) -– The protection of Mount Pinukis has gained support with the signing of a covenant by concerned stakeholders during the “Panaw-Senati uban sa Kabuhatan” (Walk-experience of Creation) Tuesday in Barangay Lison Valley, this city. 

The signatories are representatives from the Interfaith Forum for Solidarity and Peace; Civil Society Organizations (CSO); Local Government Units; National Government Agencies; police, military; and, other environmental groups that supports the move to protect Mount Pinukis. 

Prior to the covenant signing, the signatories and more than 1,000 people gathered in front of San Jose Parish Church and left on convoy to Barangay Lison Valley for the PANAW as part of the culmination in the celebration of the Mindanao Week of Peace and also of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).

Interfaith member Pastor Mikel Gubot of United Church of Christ in the

Philippines (UCCP) said the officials and residents of Barangay Lison Valley welcomed the more than 1,000 PANAW participants coming from the different barangays of this city and municipalities in this province.

The participants have seen for themselves the actual destruction done by the illegal loggers and small scale mining operations to Mount Pinukis. 

The Subanen Tribe leaders headed by Chieftain Vencio Bawan also welcomed the PANAW contingent through rituals conducted particularly at Purok Mati and Purok Atis in Barangay Lison Valley near the foot of Mount Pinukis. 

PANAW organizer Fr. Roi Ramos expressed hopes that President Benigno Simeon Aquino III will listen to the clamor to protect Mount Pinukis, citing a copy of the covenant will be sent to the Chief Executive. 

Mount Pinukis, which has a height of 1,562 meters above sea level, is located in the municipality of Midsalip, this province. 

Mount Pinukis is identified as the only remaining source of water that runs through the vie rivers that irrigates at least 90,000 hectares of rice field in the provinces of Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga Sibugay and parts of Misamis Occidental and Lanao del Norte. (PNA)
LAP/TPGJR/Hirohito D. Cadion/utb