Soil erosion, especially in the uplands, is now an extremely serious problem in the country. Erosion does not only result in increasing the impoverishment of the Filipino farmers, but also destroys other things down under. Siltation, caused by erosion, shortens the productive life spans of dams and reservoirs. The Magat reservoir, for instance, has had its probable life span of 100 years reduced to 25 years. The Ambuklao Dam reservoir had its life span halved from 60 to 32 years as a result of siltation.
Deforestation also threatens the country s wildlife resources.
Seven ornamental plants and several others are on the brink of disappearance. Deforestation has also altered the climatic condition in the country. Periods of drought have become more common and extensive in the dry season while floods have prevailed in the rainy months. The words of Dr. Ernesto Guiang, of the Development Alternatives, Inc., come in hand to end this column. He says, We are now at the eleventh hour.