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When I and my retinue visited Baler to participate in the Golden Jubilee of Class 52
Graduates of Mount Carmel last March 19-22, 2002, a joyful event that exceeded beyond
expectations, I saw the province unlike the one that bemused me sixty-five years ago.
Then, a mere mentioned of Aurora conjures up images of impenetrable jungles, headhunters,
leech-infested swamps, and its isolation to the rest of the outside world. The sheer
beauty of nature was spellbinding. One time, there were hair-raising incidents on our way
to Reserva accompanying my uncle when an enraged monkey suddenly appeared and began
throwing fruits at us from the tree top, and a lovely moment when I encountered a
spectacular array of orchids blossom that simply wasn't there a week before and which
shriveled and disappeared at midday. There were times when you plodded through the woods;
iridescent light infuses the rainforest like rainbow. The sparkling coral reefs, mangrove
swamps, and pristine rivers, the beauty and wonders of Aurora were almost too much to
bear. Now these impressions no longer languish. Aurora has been deeply affected by the
developments of the late 20th century: people, modern roads, traffic congestions,
urbanization encroachment, and deforestation. As I observe the surroundings, I noticed
condition of the biodiversity is rapidly deteriorating, deleteriously impacting the
ecosystem to extinction.
View of Cemento Cove from Ermita
Aurora's shoreline is roughly 328 kilometers; if traced with high lighter pen, following
each outfall indentation, it would be much longer. Islets joined with promontories; reefs
merge with sandy bar and muddy beach with mangrove forests. Shores spread out toward the
receding tide to forested reef-fringed headlands. Ocean tide wave rushing up the winding
estuary. Often times it is hard to predict where the ocean ends and Aurora begins. The
wonders in Aurora are perceivable that no portrait can possibly convey and adequate idea
of it to those who have not known it. Its grandeurs are infinite.
Aurora's wonder has fascinated missionaries and adventurers since its early discovery. Its
tropical rainforest was once the most resplendent in Luzon. What's left of it still is,
but the rate of deforestation has been intense since 1935 that started in Dingalan. It was
only hampered by the outbreak of World War II, but the destruction continued after the war
ended. During the seventies to the present, the illegal and legal worst forest epidemic
spread its devastation to the towns of Dinalungan, Casiguran, Dilasag, and still
dissatisfied, the logging concessionaires are now reverseing its crude tentacles: this
time to the barangays of Dipaculao, in particular, Dinadyawan, Calaocan, and Diyaned. This
is distinctly a rationalization of greed for quick money making schemes to be made from
logging and mining the forest on a grand scale instigated and funded by the log market of
Japan and Europe in connivance with the Department of Environments and Natural Resources
(DENR), an agency of the government whose function is to protect the natural resources of
the Philippines. But do they? I wonder!
Coconut Grove Along the Rice Paddies of Suklayin
Unceasingly one of the province intriguing region, it is now one of the most
controversial. Aurora last masterpiece of Luzon's majestic tropical rainforest is now
under siege from the outsider hungry for its tabled resources. Yet, behind the aura, and
the evident recent environmental damage, remain large sections of nature in its splendid
aspects; Aurora's rainforest is one of Luzon riches terrestrial habitats.
Despite the logging, urbanization, and agricultural schemes, Aurora still offers
naturalists and curious adventurer window on primordial biodiversity that are formidable
in balance and complex beyond comprehension. But if the tentacles of the hungry logging
industry prevail, the entire greenery of Aurora province will forever be gone. And what
will be left will only be the grain of dusts as witness to its devastation and
destruction.
View of Digisit Beach from the PAGASA Weather Station
And finally, I was overwhelmed to learn that some concern environmental groups of Northern
Luzon were interceding in behalf of its destructions. I salute them for their just
endeavor and should be commended on their efforts.
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