The Sangguniang Bayan of Palo, Leyte and residents of Barangay San Jose in Palo, Leyte are up in arms against the construction of a housing project in the area, which they claimed is disturbing the ecological balance of the environment along with the habitat of native species of wildlife.
The protesters cited a municipal ordinance that declares Guinhangadan Hill, also known as Hill 522, a War Memorial, a Mini Forest Protected Area, and a Religious Municipal Park to raise awareness and establish obligations related to the site.
The Sangguniang Bayan of Palo, together with Barangay Chairman Benil Amolo of Barangay San Jose Sitio Caloogan, Palo, Leyte, has distributed a copy of Municipal Ordinance 2018-01 to the residents and concerned government agencies.
Due to the life-threatening and continuous excavation of Guinhangadan Hill, allegedly initiated by Crown Estates, the local community has voiced serious concerns.
This project, launched on November 11, 2024, aims to improve housing but poses significant risks to the area.
Excavation activities commence every evening from 6 PM to midnight, causing noise disturbances that disrupt the peace of the community.
Residents of Barangay San Jose Sitio Caloogan are alarmed by the extensive digging along the hillside, which threatens not only their surroundings but also the historical integrity of the area.
The rich biodiversity of the hill, which boasts an abundance of root crops like cassava, gabi, and camote—as well as endemic fauna such as Brahminy Kites (Banog), monitor lizards, sailfin lizards (Ibid), and Malayan Box Turtles—has been severely impacted.
Local farmlands, where residents cultivate vegetables, are also rapidly decreasing as heavy machinery clears the landscape.
Additionally, portions of the old-growth forest have been cleared, and even evergreen large trees in the area have been cut and made into lumber without proper regulation.
Avelyn, a local teacher and environmental advocate, expressed concern: "Padayon nga ginririnuba hiton kontraktor han Crown Estates an Bukid, ngan dayon na ginpanginano inin han Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) ngan Environmental Management Bureau Region 8 (EMB) pero nagpapadayon pa inin hira hasta yana.
The ongoing digging and excavating on Hill 522 could lead to massive flooding in the residential areas of Caloogan, known to be a catch basin.
The degradation of forest cover eliminates the natural ability to absorb water, exacerbating the impact of flash floods.
The endemic indigenous trees play a crucial role in stabilizing soil, preventing erosion, and regulating water flow.
Unregulated activities in this hilly region will likely lead to an increase in natural disasters, worsening environmental conditions and affecting the well-being of the communities.
Hill 522 in Palo, Leyte, is a historical landmark from the World War II era and serves as a pilgrimage site during Holy Week, where thousands of Catholic devotees climb the 522 steps leading to the cross.
The Sangguniang Bayan of Palo has declared this remarkable site a municipal park under institutional designation.
With the assistance of the Environmental Legal Assistance Center (ELAC), concerns regarding the large-scale development have been escalated to the Office of the Provincial Governor and the EMB Region 8.
The recent ordinance underscores a strong commitment to protect Guinhangadan Hill, highlighting the community's vital role in preserving and understanding this significant historical site.
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