By Kenneth Marcos 
At sunrise in Benguet, farmers watch the clouds roll down the mountains as they prepare for another day in the fields. For generations, these peaks have provided cool air, rich soil, and steady water—life essentials that many highland communities depend on. Today, however, these same mountains are showing signs of stress as the climate continues to warm.
The Philippines is home to more than 2,700 named peaks, shaped by its location along the Pacific Ring of Fire. These ranges stretch across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, forming natural barriers that protect lowland towns and supplying water to rivers, farms, and households. Scientists often refer to mountains as the “water towers of the world” because they provide freshwater to nearly half of the global population.
But these vital landscapes are among the most vulnerable to climate change. Warmer temperatures, irregular rainfall, and more frequent extreme weather events are altering the balance of mountain ecosystems. Forests that once held soil and regulated water flow are thinning. Springs and rivers fed by upland watersheds are becoming less predictable, affecting agriculture and daily water supply in many provinces.
This year’s global theme, “Glaciers matter for water, food and livelihoods in mountains and beyond,” highlights how ice, snow, and mountain systems regulate the planet’s weather and water cycles. While the Philippines does not have glaciers, the message remains critical. Experts warn that the rapid decline of mountain ice worldwide has ripple effects: rising sea levels, disrupted rainfall patterns, and reduced freshwater availability. These global changes can intensify local challenges in tropical countries like ours.
Mountain communities in the Philippines also face social pressures brought by climate change. Highland farmers must adjust planting seasons due to erratic rainfall. Indigenous groups living in ancestral domains are seeing gradual loss of biodiversity, from forest species to wildlife that once thrived in cool environments. Local governments are working to strengthen watershed management, but environmental groups say long-term solutions require stronger national support.
Protecting mountain ecosystems is not only an environmental issue but also a matter of survival. These highlands feed rivers that hydrate farms in Isabela, fill irrigation canals in Bukidnon, and supply drinking water in Metro Manila. When mountains weaken, every community downstream feels the impact.
As the climate continues to shift, the call to protect mountains becomes more urgent. Safeguarding forests, reducing pollution, and supporting communities that care for these landscapes can help strengthen the country’s long-term resilience. The health of our mountains today will determine the security of our water, food, and livelihoods in the years ahead.
Pwersa Balita – Your Trusted Source in Agri News