#ProtectSierraMadreBySharingInSocialMedia
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PROTECT SIERRA MADRE
SIERRA MADRE
Also known as the “backbone of Luzon,” Sierra Madre is the longest mountain range in the Philippines. It covers the northeast coast of Luzon island, serving as natural shield against typhoons coming from the Pacific Ocean. The range also comprises numerous watersheds that serves the adjacent agricultural lands in Central Luzon and Cagayan Valley. Furthermore, it supports major infrastructure, including irrigation dams, water utility and power plants, that are serving urban settlements, including Metro Manila.
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Aside from the way it stretches along the eastern coast of Luzon like a spine keeping the country upright, its true function is to act as nature’s shield against the onslaught of super typhoons and storm surges.
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At 500 kilometers long, the Sierra Madre is the longest mountain range in the country and the greatest hope at surviving the Philippines’ many, many natural disasters. It spans 10 provinces, three regions, and protects the 50 million lives in Luzon. While it doesn’t stop typhoons in their path, it can reduce its strength and absorb the worse of it.
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It has a land area of approximately 1.4 million hectares spanning 10 provinces (Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, Nueva Ecija, Aurora, Bulacan, Rizal, Laguna and Quezon).
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The continuous forest landscape represents about 40% of the country’s forest cover.
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Given its vastness, the range is an important biological site due to its high floral and faunal diversity, in which many of the species are unique to the Philippines.​​
Sierra Madre is going through a process of unprecedented human-induced environmental change. The likelihood of losing a significant part of the region’s biodiversity has led to growing global and local concerns.​
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Illegal Logging
While only five commercial logging companies are currently operating in the Sierra Madre, there are indications that operational lapses are causing great damage to the forestlands and biodiversity resources.
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Mining Activities
Mining covers an aggregate area of 811,541 hectares in Sierra Madre. Fortunately, many applications have already been withdrawn due to the absence of required legal documents to support final endorsement. There is also a continuing resistance to mining operations at the local level.
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Agricultural Practices
This activity is inseparable from unscrupulous commercial logging operations and road construction, which allows forest occupants to use forest lands for agriculture – for their food and as a source of income.
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Road Construction and Development
There are many proposed road development projects that have potential impacts to the natural resources and biodiversity of the Sierra Madre. The patterns of location show at least four roads crossing the backbone of the mountain range and at least two trans-highways traversing the long stretch of the Sierra Madre. The expected roads will be vectors of in-migration of upland cultivators that will take advantage of the easier access provided by the roads. This opportunity will also promote the establishment of new settlements along road routes, thus increasing the pressure on adjacent biodiversity resources resulting from increased population in these new settlements.
As a student, there are several ways on how I/we can contribute to this problem. One of them is to spread awareness about the current situation of Sierra Madre and its importance to the country. Through utilizing social media and websites, individuals across the country will be informed as well as support this petition for the protection that will be provided to the mountain.
CONTACT US
Buntatala, Leganes, Iloilo
Dave Jhaeson N. Alivio STEM12-C
123-456-7890