Quezon river declared ‘critical watershed’ to shield it from quarrying
LUCENA CITY—The historic Alitao River in Tayabas City, flowing from the foot of Mount Banahaw, has been declared a “critical watershed” by three villages in an effort to protect it from destructive mining operations.
“This ordinance declares the Alitao River as a critical watershed; therefore, mining, quarrying, and other similar activities are strictly prohibited,” village councilors from Barangays Lalo, Alitao and Ipilan stated in their joint Ordinance 2025-001, written in Filipino and passed on Tuesday.
The ordinance also designates the three adjoining villages as an “ecotourism zone.”
A critical watershed is defined as a drainage area of a river system requiring immediate rehabilitation. Alitao River originates from Mount Banahaw and flows into Tayabas Bay through the Iyam River in Lucena City. It is threatened by illegal rock and sand mining operations.
Environmental group Tanggol Kalikasan (TK) welcomed the joint ordinance, describing it as a unified stance against the destruction of natural resources.
“The declaration is a direct response to the threat of quarrying operations, which residents fear will irreversibly harm the river’s delicate ecosystem and the historic Alitao bridge,” Jay Lim, TK project officer, said in an interview on Wednesday.
Management plan
The ordinance also mandates the development of a management plan for ecotourism in the area.
“This ordinance will serve as the foundation for developing ecotourism areas, research, and local studies in science and culture,” village officials said.
Designating an area as an ecotourism zone promotes sustainable tourism through community involvement, biodiversity conservation, cultural preservation, environmental education, and economic benefits for local communities while ensuring visitor satisfaction.
Lim praised the decisive action of village officials, saying it demonstrated “their commitment to preserving the river’s natural beauty and ecological balance.”
The threat of illegal rock mining in Alitao River, he said, has become a focal point of a strong anti-quarry movement in Tayabas and other parts of the province.
The joint declaration acknowledges the significant historical events that took place in Alitao and along its river during the Spanish period.
On Nov. 1, 1841, members of the Cofradía de San José, led by local hero Apolinario de la Cruz —known as “Hermano Puli” — engaged Spanish forces in a fierce battle in Alitao, where Filipino freedom fighters had encamped due to its strategic location.
“However, due to the overwhelming number of Spanish forces during the battle, the blood of our fellow countrymen was shed, and the remaining members of the Cofradía, including Hermano Puli, surrendered,” part of the ordinance stated.
The Cofradía de San José was a Filipino-only Christian confraternity that led a major revolt against Spanish rule in pursuit of religious freedom and independence. De la Cruz was executed on Nov. 4, 1841, in Tayabas.
