The Ipo dam and watershed and its surrounding habitat is now threatened because of the illegal settlers and the result of illegal logging, charcoal making and intentional burning.
The water in the dam is no longer clean. The reason why there is no water in spite of the rains. The water district cannot supply enough clean water from the Ipo dam.
Even the water in the dam was affected by the activities of illegal settlers from Quezon, Bicol, Visayas and Mindanao. The water supply gets turbid easily.
Even the Dumagats – native living near the Ipo dam are forced to abandon the area where they lives because of the growing population of illegal settlers.
Some of the native have been taught by the illegal settlers how to make money out of cutting the trees beside the dam.
Reforestation won’t work as a solution to this problem if the people will still continue their activities that could destroy our natural resources.
If the irresponsible activities in the Ipo dam, it will possibly result into flush floods. People should understand the purpose of watersheds and the help it could bring to them.
Educating people will help protect the forest that supplies water in the different parts of the country. The government should also take full responsibilities and actions regarding to this issue.
