The provincial government of South Cotabato has ramped up its environmental conservation efforts through strategic initiatives focused on forest management, inland water protection, and mining regulation. These measures, outlined in the February update from the Office of the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources (OPENRO), aim to safeguard the province’s rich biodiversity and ensure the sustainable use of its natural resources.
Lake Rehabilitation
In a major push to restore aquatic ecosystems, authorities have completed an extensive lake rehabilitation project at Lake Lahit. The operation successfully removed 18,230 square meters of invasive water lilies that had been choking the lake’s surface and disrupting its ecological balance. The initiative brought together a coalition of stakeholders, including barangay officials, municipal authorities, and technical staff from the OPENRO, demonstrating the collaborative approach being employed in the province’s environmental management strategy. Beyond Lake Lahit, conservation efforts have expanded to Lake Sebu, where eight hectares of critical water sources are now under regular monitoring protocols. Officials have also validated and geo-tagged an additional 12 hectares in the Lake Sebu watershed, creating a comprehensive digital inventory of protected areas that will enable more effective resource management and conservation planning.
Biodiversity and Reforestation Initiatives
The province has implemented a multi-faceted reforestation program designed to restore native habitats while supporting sustainable livelihoods. In Barangay Lamlahak, Lake Sebu, 3,185 rattan seedlings were distributed to five beneficiary groups, promoting the cultivation of this economically valuable native species. The initiative not only enhances forest cover but also provides alternative income sources for local communities. In Maligo, Polomolok, a specialized rattan enrichment project spanning 14 hectares has been established, focusing on increasing the density of this ecologically important plant species. Meanwhile, the Assisted Natural Regeneration (ANR) project has successfully monitored 13 hectares planted with indigenous tree species interspersed with Arabica coffee, demonstrating an innovative agroforestry approach that balances conservation with agricultural productivity. Additional nursery operations in Barangay Libas, Tantangan, have successfully raised 2,200 Ipil-ipil seedlings for upcoming reforestation activities. The province is also maintaining three hectares of YES-O Adopted Sites and a specialized two-hectare biodiversity conservation project in Surallah, creating protected spaces for native flora and fauna to thrive.
Water Quality Monitoring Program
Under its comprehensive water management framework, the province has implemented rigorous water quality assessment protocols across major waterways. Recent testing conducted on seven key rivers—Silway, Marbel, Loel, Allah, Safali, Taplan, and Seloton—revealed that six of the seven rivers meet environmental standards. Only the Seloton River failed to pass the quality assessment, prompting officials to develop targeted remediation strategies for this waterway.
Crackdown on Illegal Activities
The Inter-Agency Provincial Environment Monitoring Council (IPEMC) has intensified enforcement operations against environmental violations. In a significant anti-smuggling operation, authorities confiscated and destroyed 2,128 kilograms of illicit cigarette products, addressing both environmental concerns and public health risks associated with unregulated tobacco products.
Mining and Quarrying Regulation
The province has implemented strict oversight of extractive industries, conducting monitoring activities at 43 active quarry sites and verifying 66 additional areas upon request. This systematic approach has enabled authorities to issue 65 permits for mining and quarrying operations that meet stringent environmental standards. Enforcement efforts have resulted in 35 apprehension and citation tickets issued to operators engaging in illegal extraction activities. Additionally, authorities have completed a comprehensive inventory of 70 mining tunnels in T’boli and established monitoring protocols for eight mineral processing license holders and their rodmills, ensuring that these operations comply with environmental regulations. Provincial officials have emphasized that these conservation initiatives represent a long-term commitment to environmental stewardship, with plans to expand and enhance these programs to ensure the sustainable management of South Cotabato’s valuable natural resources for future generations.
