UNDOUBTEDLY, Typhoon Tino on November 4 will go down in the history of Negros Occidental as one of the most furious typhoons ever recorded — leaving behind an indelible mark of devastation.
With 43 people confirmed dead, 63 still missing, and hundreds of millions of pesos in agricultural and infrastructure damage, the facts and figures alone paint a grim picture of the disaster.
But what stood out in Tino’s aftermath was the sight of mud and cut logs rushing down from the uplands, wreaking unimaginable havoc on communities at the foot of Mt. Kanlaon.
As a result, theories and strong suspicions are now circulating: Is there an ongoing hush-hush illegal logging operation within the Mt. Kanlaon Natural Park (MKNP)? Has the park been figuratively “wounded,” losing too many trees to hold the massive volume of rainwater dumped by the typhoon?
SOUNDING AN ALARM
For Negros Occidental 4th District’s Cong. Jeffrey Ferrer, Tino’s aftermath should serve as an alarm bell for the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to thoroughly assess the current state of MKNP and the North Negros Natural Park (NNNP).
Former Negros Occidental governor Lito Coscolluela echoed the same call, urging authorities to audit MKNP’s absorption capacity.
Moises Padilla mayor Ella Yulo likewise believes illegal logging is quietly happening inside MKNP. She urged the DENR to enforce environmental laws with real force.
DENR–Negros Island Region director Charlie Fabre responded, “I’ll do!”
Yet Fabre admitted that, as a new regional director, the scale of Tino’s devastation — both to human lives and the environment — is a formidable challenge, especially amid allegations triggered by flash floods that reached as high as a one-storey building.
Still, he said it comes with the job. He has no choice but to demand detailed ground reports from his field personnel.
‘DIMINISHING GREENS’
If you ask Rusty Biñas and Randy James Rojo — founders of the Green Alert Network (GAN) and the Group of Environmental Socialists (GOES), Inc., respectively — the problem can be summed up simply: Negros is suffering from “diminishing greens.”
Citing DENR/PAMB Protected Area Management Plans, academic research on the Visayas Biogeographic Zone, and ecological watershed standards, Biñas said Negros’ remaining forest cover is a mere 4%.
That means the island has a 36% shortfall from the required 40% forest cover for ecological stability — roughly 48,000 hectares that need reforestation.
“The diminishing greens status is critically alarming!” Biñas stressed.
Rojo, for his part, pointed to the massive upland developments — resorts, hotels, and other permanent structures — mushrooming inside natural parks. These, he warned, are slowly turning protected landscapes into a “concrete jungle.”
Given this trend, Rojo fears that disasters worse than Tino may strike in the future.
He also expressed frustration over what he perceives as the nonchalance of the provincial government in halting upland expansion and ensuring genuine protection of the province’s natural parks.
MILLIONS-PESO REFORESTATION PROJECTS
Documents obtained from the Capitol reveal that the provincial government has been allotting an average of ₱20 million annually for reforestation since 2019.
In fact, Negros Occidental allocated ₱26.5 million for 2025 and ₱26 million for 2024 specifically for reforestation.
The lingering question: Where are the trees planted since 2019?
Attempts to speak with Provincial Environment and Management Office (PEMO) head Julie Ann Bedrio were unsuccessful, but her explanation is crucial.
The public deserves clarity: How exactly is the more than ₱20 million yearly budget spent? What are the accomplishments? Where are the trees?
Negrenses are eager — if not impatient — to see proof.
OUT OF TOUCH?
After Tino, the provincial government drew flak. Worst-hit towns and cities in southern Negros Occidental were looking for Gov. Eugenio Jose “Bong” Lacson — particularly during the wake and burial of five members of the Serono family in Sitio Camansi, Barangay Mailum, Bago City.
The Serenos lost Roy Sr., Jenelyn, and their three daughters — Roselyn, Joy Ellen Mae, and Joy. Three more remain missing: Crystal, Zion Kaye, and Jullience Hope.
Of the nine family members inside their house when the raging floods swept it away, only one survived — Roy Jr.
With Vice President Sara Duterte and Sen. Robin Padilla visiting and comforting the Serenos, many asked: Where was Gov. Bong?
DIAZ’S DEFENSE
To defend Lacson from public criticism, Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz II said some people merely wanted to attack or demean the governor — but he did not name them.
Diaz insisted the provincial government is assisting every LGU affected by Tino.
But people are looking for more than food packs and bottled water. They want to see extraordinary, creative, “out-of-the-box” actions from the provincial leadership — initiatives that go beyond routine relief operations.
After all, food assistance comes from taxpayers’ money. It is basic, expected, and mandatory — not something to brag about.
More importantly, the Capitol must now prepare answers about the annual reforestation budget. Like it or not, nature’s “fact-checking” is visible — and deadly. The killer flash floods carrying cut logs are substantial evidence that nature is expressing its anger against human folly.
So, is the Capitol ready?
Where are the more than P140 million worth of reforestation projects in Negros Occidental?
Are we going to play “pik-pak-bong” again?
Abangan!/PN
