THIS WEEK’S MILESTONES: Dec. 9-15, 2018

Dec. 11, 2009

Mounts Banahaw and San Cristobal were declared protected areas under the category protected landscape by virtue of Republic Act No. 9847 signed by then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

The law, called “Mounts Banahaw-San Cristobal Protected Landscape,” ensures the protection and conservation of these areas, particularly the forests and their rich biodiversity.

Mt. Banahaw in the provinces of Laguna and Quezon, and San Cristobal in Quezon cover 10,784 hectares and 10,900 ha, respectively.

The whole area is a critical watershed that drains into Laguna de Bay and Tayabas Bay.

In March 2004, the mountains were ordered closed for five years due to the discovery of high concentrations of coliform bacteria in the mountain’s water and the accumulation of garbage, equivalent to 90 tons every year that were traced to tourists and trekkers.

It was closed again for another three years until 2012.

Dec. 10, 1941

The American naval base in Cavite province was bombed by Japanese planes, targeting the naval station at Sangley Point during the first wave of attacks.

Years earlier, Sangley Point was used by the Chinese pirate Limahong in 1574 as his refuge when he ran away after a failed attempt to take Manila.

Sangley Point was also used as a military base by the Japanese troops.

It is now occupied by the Philippine Navy for ship repair and dry-docking.

There is also a proposal to build a new international airport on the reclaimed land in Sangley Point.

Compiled by Kathleen de Villa, Inquirer Research