There’s a higher risk of forest cover decline in the Municipalities of Maayon and Cuartero if there’s a continual conversion into agricultural lands.
The Capiz Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (CaPENRO) sounded the alarm after satellite mapping found many forested areas in the two towns are being developed and utilized for farming.
Aside from Maayon and Cuartero, CaPENRO is also looking into the status of the forest areas in the 2nd District. Information Officer Wilmon Alinsangan said they are monitoring the forest areas in the towns of Dumalag, Jamindan and Tapaz.
CaPENRO continues to monitor the condition of the forest in the province to protect it against excessive land use change and from the impact of climate change, especially with the projected super El Niño.
Forest covers are essential as it plays a pivotal role in maintaining a balance ecosystem while also protecting the lowland from erosion or flashfloods during typhoons or heavy rainfall.
Mountain quarry moratorium remains
CaPENRO also reiterated that 21 permits for quarry operations in Capiz will not be renewed after the year ends.
This is in compliance with the November 2025 executive order signed by Governor Fredenil “Oto” Castro that indefinitely suspended issuance of both new and renewal of quarry permits in the province.
CaPENRO Head Ronald Allan Cullo said the 21 permits previously issued had a five-year validity period, which ends by December 2026.
These 21 permits for quarry operations are in Roxas City as well as the towns of Dumalag, Dumarao, Jamindan, Panitan, Pilar, Pontevedra, Sapian, and Sigma.
Sand and gravel operations
CaPENRO is also continuously monitoring the nine commercial sand and gravel operations with permits in the towns of Pontevedra, Dumalag, Tapaz, Panitan, Dao, President Roxas, and Panay.
CaPENRO said this is part of its ongoing efforts to protect the natural resources and mountains of Capiz while monitoring the regulations on land use and extraction of minerals and construction materials.
Caption
Some of the tree seedlings recently planted in Barangay New Guia of the Municipality of Maayon. (Photo courtesy of CaPENRO)
