with this critical ecological condition, we are highly susceptible to soil-related disasters as our remaining forest cover could no longer sufficiently contain and absorb the amount of water brought about by typhoons and monsoon rains. For us, the incidence of annual typhoons and heavy monsoon rains could always mean serious soil erosion, flash floods, and disastrous landslides.” (The Sendong tragedy in Mindanao and the ecosystem services of the Bukidnon forests, MindaViews, 31 Dec. 2011) In Iligan, the mudflow also carried thousands of logs which pounded and destroyed the houses. Dead bodies were found under the logs and rescue operations were impeded because there were so many logs and debris floating on the river. “There are two watersheds that drain to Iligan, one that has an area of approximately 65,000 hectares and one with around 7,800 hectares (estimated only through GE Path). The bigger watershed drains water from as far as Talakag in Bukidnon and Kapai and Tagoloan II in Lanao del Sur. The smaller watershed drains partly the towns of Tagoloan, Baloi, and Pantaran in Lanao del Norte. All of these watersheds drain into an area approximately 1,500 hectares within Iligan proper. It is like having two large buckets pouring their contents to a very small one.” (Marcos Mordeno, Unprepared for the Worst, Mindanews, 31 December 2011.)
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