The continuous rising temperatures attributed to global warming and climate change continue to pose threats to the global ecosystem and cause aggravated forest fires that devastate local habitats, especially in the country's Watershed Cradle of the North– the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR).
Watersheds are land areas that channel rainfall from the mountains to fresh water bodies and eventually to outflow points such as reservoirs and the ocean. At present, more than 1.5 million hectares of forests in the Cordillera watersheds help rainwater flow down from the mountains towards the rivers and lakes to avoid flash floods and to lower the chances of landslides in the area.
The highest incident of global forest fires was recorded in 2024. In the same year, more than 113 forest fires ravaged almost three hectares of forests in Cordillera in three months.
The latest episode of the fourth season of the Saribuhay series features the project of the Watershed and Water Resources Research, Development, and Extension Center (WWRRDEC) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau (DENR-ERDB), "S&T Action Frontline for Emergencies and Hazards (SAFE) for Forest Fires in the Watersheds in Bokod and Tublay, Benguet Province using Maguey (Agave cantala) as Greenbelts."
These thick, evergreen fronds of maguey are able to withstand the scorching effects of the wildfires through its massive root system as well as its innate resistance to burning. These characteristics of maguey evolved to allow them to survive environmental stress even under extreme heat and drought. Although these are introduced species in the Philippines, its role in being a protective buffer for the native flora and fauna against forest fires is valuable.
Through the project, greenbelts composed of magueys were developed along the Benguet Pine Seed Production Areas (SPAs) in Tublay and Bokod, Benguet. The 20,480 magueys within a 5.12-kilometer greenbelt deter the forest fire from spreading to the area being protected. The project team followed the geometric quincunx planting system or planting five plants arranged in a cross to make it more effective against forest fires and for easier weeding in case of overgrowth.
Aside from these, the project team also taught forest fire management, including ways to prevent it, how to plant magueys, and how to develop fibercraft to the immediate surrounding communities.
Amidst the decline of global biodiversity, conservative efforts to strengthen environmental conservation of Philippine diversity is strengthened also for the succeeding generations who will carry the torch of collective responsibility on protecting and preserving our lands.
Saribuhay is a nonprofit infotainment YouTube Series that features DOST-PCAARRD’s initiatives on biodiversity and natural resources. You can watch the full episode on YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/SaribuhayMaguey