The Sierra Madre mountain range is currently the toast of the country after it once again tempered a strong typhoon, thereby saving Filipinos--particularly those living in Luzon--from disaster.
But what has been done to protect the mountain range from harmful human activity? This is the issue that House Resolution (HR) No. 430, filed by Cavite 4th district Rep. Elpidio Barzaga Jr., intends to bring to the fore.
The measure seeks a congressional probe into the degradation of the 540-kilometer Sierra Madre mountain range to look for ways to protect it.
Barzaga, chairman of the House Committee on Natural Resources, said there is a need to conduct an investigation in aid of legislation on the alleged degradation of the Sierra Madre mountains "and how we shall protect our 'Mother Mountain Range' to prevent the occurrence of floods in various places in the Philippines".
"There is an urgent need to determine whether human activity such as illegal logging, gold mining, limestone mining, construction aggregate quarrying, deforestation and dam construction are being conducted at the Sierra Madre Mountains," the veteran solon said in the resolution.
If such acts are being conducted, Barzaga said "There is a need to confirm if there were corresponding permits issued by the concerned government agencies."
"If indeed permits were issued, were there environmental impact assessments regarding their effect to the Sierra Madre Mountains?" asked the lawmaker, who is a member of the National Unity Party (NUP).
The resolution cited Article 2, Section 16 of the Constitution which provides that the state shall “protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature”.
The resolution said the “Mother Mountain Range” plays an important role :by acting as a natural shield against typhoons and floods coming from the Pacific Ocean. Its watershed supports the water system of Central Luzon, Cagayan Valley and Metro Manila."
"It is home to flora and fauna including the Philippine eagle and the golden-crowned flying fox. It is also home to 15 different indigenous peoples holding Certificate of Ancestral Domain Titles or ancestral domain claims groups," it said.
The resolution also cited the Sierra Madre Mountains' role as the country's protector from the recent typhoon “Karding", typhoon “Ompong” in 2018, and typhoons “Lawin" and typhoon “Karen".
"Unfortunately, it has not fully protected the town of San Miguel, Bulacan from the typhoon 'Karding' which has experienced its worst flooding that killed five provincial anti-disaster rescuers," Barzaga said.
The Sierra Madre mountains, called he "backbone of Luzon" is the longest mountain range in the Philippines which has a total land area of 2.8 million hectares that spans Cagayan province in the north to Quezon province in the south.
It encompassing the 10 provinces of Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, Aurora, Nueva Ecija, Bulacan, Rizal, Laguna, and Quezon.