1870s - Evidence that the lake shores of Mainit were heavily forested

Tuod, remnants of the 1900 lakeshore forest. Photo: FTA Paredes, Alegria, Surigao del Norte

This 6 May 1878 missionary letter of Fr. Antonio Chambo, SJ written in Jabonga, Agusan to the Jesuit Mission Superior in Manila also documented the rich forest covers of the Surigao-Agusan mountain ranges including the shores of Lake Mainit.

In page 58, Fr. Chambo described:

“In this spot of Mindanao, mancono (magcono) grows so abundantly that these trees blanket the entire mountain range running from Surigao to Butuan, that is from north to south. Its hardness is similar to that of iron, such that it resists all tools, except in an expert’s hands. It has besides the advantage of not rotting in water, which is not true of other hardwoods of  great density like tiga, molave and narra. Although resistant for years to the action of water, they yield and rot in the end. Tiga is also found abundantly, wood similar to mancono for its hardness but which does not share its incorruptibility. On the lake shores facing the mountain, one finds molave, too. Red narra is found in profusion on the flat land around the lake, as well as balayon, tindalo, woods precious for their red color, softness, and suitability for all kinds of work. Such, in a word, is the wealth in woods so common here that they are not valued. elsewhere, they would be valued as treasure.”

Source: Fr. Jose S. Arcilla SJ (1990), “Jesuit Missionary Letters from Mindanao” Vol. V: The Surigao Mission.