By Nimfa L. Estrellado Sierra Madre mountain range with patches of deforested land, highlighting the ongoing threats from illegal logging, m...
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| Sierra Madre mountain range with patches of deforested land, highlighting the ongoing threats from illegal logging, mining, and development projects. (Serbisyong Pilipinas) |
LUCENA CITY, Quezon - Environmental advocates urge government action to halt illegal mining and harmful projects in the Sierra Madre, which endanger millions of lives, while #SierraMadre trended on social media on November 10. They stress that forest loss not only harms biodiversity but also weakens the mountain range’s role as a natural barrier against severe weather, putting communities at risk.
Several organizations have joined the call to protect Sierra Madre, including Alyansa Tigil Mina (ATM), which opposes large-scale mining, and the Mabuwaya Foundation, which conserves the Philippine crocodile. The Save Sierra Madre Network Alliance (SSMNA) also advocates for Indigenous Dumagat-Remontado communities and the mountain range’s preservation, highlighting the urgent need to defend the region.
“When Supertyphoon Lawin hit the north, it was the Sierra Madre mountains that weakened the force of what could have been another typhoon catastrophe,” an official from SSMNA says, emphasizing the mountains’ vital protective role. “This shows how crucial the mountain range is in shielding communities from extreme storms and mitigating disaster impacts.”
The dense forests and steep slopes of Sierra Madre act as a natural buffer, slowing winds and reducing flood risks for communities downstream. Protecting this vital mountain range is essential to safeguard both lives and the region’s rich biodiversity, which includes unique flora, fauna, and Indigenous heritage.
“The mountains of Sierra Madre protect us, slowing winds, reducing floods, and safeguarding our communities and forests,” the organization adds. “They act as a natural barrier that helps preserve both lives and the region’s rich biodiversity, while sustaining watersheds that supply millions of people with water and food.”
In response to these threats, the groups criticize so-called development projects that damage Sierra Madre, calling for halting harmful activities and holding perpetrators accountable under environmental laws. They urge authorities to enforce rules, suspend questionable projects, and prioritize protecting the mountain range as the first line of defense for Metro Manila and major parts of Luzon.
The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and American storm chaser Josh Morgerman explain that while Sierra Madre can reduce typhoon strength after landfall, it does not prevent direct hits on eastern Luzon. A 2023 study by Drs. Gerry Bagtasa and Bernard Alan Racoma in the Philippine Journal of Science finds that the range reduces wind speeds by 1 % to 13 % and lessens rainfall, underscoring the need to protect it from further damage.
Sierra Madre stretches 540 kilometers from Cagayan in the north to Quezon in the south, with widths up to 56 kilometers and a total area of 16,260 square kilometers. It borders the Pacific Ocean to the east and several key regions to the west, and hosts numerous peaks, including Mount Guiwan at 1,915 meters, Mount Bintuod at 1,932 meters, and Mount Anacuao at 1,833 meters, making it the Philippines’ longest and most biologically diverse mountain range.
Beyond mining and deforestation in general, Sierra Madre in Dinapigue, Isabela has suffered severe damage due to destructive quarrying by the Dinapigue Mining Corporation. Stretching from Cagayan Valley to Southern Luzon, the mountain range serves as a natural shield against powerful storms and supports countless communities and ecosystems along its slopes.
The mountain range continues to reduce the impact of extreme weather by slowing winds, absorbing rainfall, capturing carbon, and hosting 3,500 plant species, 58 % of which are endemic. It also sustains rivers such as Cagayan, Pampanga, and Agos, while supporting remote communities and indigenous populations who rely on its forests for food, water, and shelter.
The country’s natural protection is being degraded, with more than 161,240 hectares of mountainous forests destroyed as of 2010, according to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). Human activities such as illegal logging, slash-and-burn farming, charcoal-making, hunting, and mining have driven much of the forest loss, threatening both biodiversity and community safety.
Advocates also oppose the Laguna Power Project and the proposed Ahunan Dam, citing environmental risks and potential harm to local communities. They argue these projects could further disrupt natural water flows, increase vulnerability to floods, and compound ecological pressures already affecting Sierra Madre, echoing concerns raised over the Chinese-funded Kaliwa Dam in Quezon province.
Typhoon Uwan demonstrates the range’s partial moderating effect, weakening after crossing Sierra Madre and other mountain systems. Pagasa reports that winds and gusts remain strong as the storm moves inland, prompting authorities to lift the highest Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 5 in four areas, while heavy rainfall persists across most of Luzon.
Authorities and conservationists emphasize that the government must act to prevent further degradation and protect Sierra Madre and the millions who rely on it for disaster defense. Officials stress that enforcing environmental laws is essential to maintain Sierra Madre as Luzon’s natural fortress while protecting its biodiversity, watersheds, and cultural heritage.
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