The House Committee on Government Enterprises and Privatization approved on Monday (Dec. 7) the proposed creation of a special government body that would oversee, manage, and protect the 500 kilometer-long Sierra Madre mountain range.
In a virtual meeting, the House panel, chaired by Parañaque 1st District Rep. Eric Olivarez approved House Bill No. 5634, which calls for the creation of a Sierra Madre Development Authority (SMDA). The measure is principally authored by House Assistant Majority Leader and Rizal 2nd District Rep. Fidel Nograles.
In his sponsorship speech, Nograles asked his colleagues to approve HB 5634, which seeks to enhance the protection and development of the Sierra Madre region.
“Through the Sierra Madre Development Authority, we can further strengthen not only the protection that the Sierra Madre deserves, but a wholistic approach to enhance development of indigenous resources in the Sierra Madre region to its fullest potentials for economic development in order to raise the standard of living of our people,” he said.
He laments that the lack of implementation of environmental protection laws vis-a-vis the lack of regulation for human activities in the area contribute to the continued forest degradation and dissipation of natural resources.
“It is necessary that all areas in the Sierra Madre region are clearly delineated and classified so that human activities are well-defined to determine whether these activities will be disallowed for conservation or allowed in the area for development, subject to the proper regulatory controls,” Nograles, a Harvard-trained lawyer, said.
“Those areas in the Sierra Madre region that can be used for economic activities also need immediate protection and proper regulation in order to further enhance development and economic growth, so that the general public can reap the full benefit of the bountiful resources,” he added.
Representatives from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) expressed full support to the measure.
Cagayan Governor Manuel Mamba also rallied behind the passage of Nograles’ bill.
It was Pangasinan 6th District Rep. Tyrone Agabas, who moved for the approval of the HB 5634 subject to style. The motion was seconded by Bataan 2nd district Rep. Jose Enrique Garcia III.
Under HB 5634, the proposed SMDA is tasked to conduct a comprehensive survey of the physical and natural resources of the Sierra Madre region and draft a comprehensive plan to conserve and utilize such resources in order to promote the region’s social and economic development.
The SMDA is also mandated to provide the machinery for extending the necessary planning, management, and technical assistance to prospective and existing investors in the region; provide recommendations to the proper agencies regarding the financing and technical support to be given to agricultural, industrial, and commercial projects; and assess and approve all plans, programs, and projects proposed by local government offices/agencies within the region related to the development of the mountain range.
Among the other functions of the SMDA are to plan, program, finance and undertake infrastructure projects such as river, flood, and tidal control work, waste water and sewerage work, dams and water supply, roads, irrigation, housing and related work; and undertake studies on the conservation, improvement, exploration, development, and maintenance of the Sierra Madre Mountain Range.
Nograles’ bill provides that the SMDA will be led by a nine-man Board of Directors (BOD) to be chaired by the Executive Secretary and vice-chaired by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Director General.
Sitting as members of the BOD are the secretaries of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the Department of Trade and Industry, and the Department of Energy; the Chairperson of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples; a provincial governor representing the provinces comprising the Sierra Madre Region; a city or municipal mayor representing the cities and municipalities comprising the Sierra Madre Region; and the General Manager of the SMDA.
HB 5634 authorizes the President to appoint the SMDA General Manager who will be tasked to manage the operations of the Authority.