When Typhoon Karding was announced last weekend to have undergone “explosive intensification,” all of us were also intensely worried, especially after PAGASA raised the alarm to signal number five in some areas of Luzon. Preparations were made. Events were canceled. Prayers resounded inside churches during Sunday worship, asking for Divine Intervention to stifle the strength of a superstorm.
As the typhoon barreled its way on the eastern part of Luzon, those who were monitoring PAGASA’s online typhoon tracker noticed something peculiar. The eye of the storm was lingering a bit on Luzon’s “backbone,” which made it lose some strength in the process.
When the perilous strong winds and massive rain didn’t arrive as expected, there were those who attributed it to luck or to an answered prayer. But in reality, that answered prayer is that backbone — the mountain range called Sierra Madre.
Soon, online posts were filled with hashtags highlighting Sierra Madre’s role to avert disaster. The topic trended and eyes were now on the longest mountain range in the country, which spans almost 500 kilometers and straddles 10 provinces. Sierra Madre’s role is perhaps best described by the origin of its name: “sierra” is Spanish for saw (the tool), while sierra in English means long jagged mountain chain; “madre” is mother. At the height of Karding’s might, Sierra Madre became a “motherly shield,” protecting the lowlands from further harm.
According to ecology group Haribon Foundation, “Karding's impact slowed down while traversing the Sierra Madre Mountain range since the area has a large surface of slopes, curves, and forested areas.” It also added that Sierra Madre is “home to a large number of wildlife species and provides fresh water to the people of Metro Manila, Cagayan, Nueva Vizcaya, Rizal, Laguna, among others.”
On the part of the World Wide Fund for Nature-Philippines, it is renewing calls to “save Sierra Madre today and every day.” “It plays a very important role by acting as a natural shield against typhoons and floods coming from the Pacific Ocean. With the rising sea levels, it is more than vital that we protect the Sierra Madre and all the forests in the country.”
Haribon and WWF-Philippines are joined by environmental organizations calling on the government, the private sector, and the Filipino people to once and for all put resources to protect Sierra Madre. Words are not enough as action is needed. For example, Haribon is increasing reforestation coverage in Sierra Madre and training indigenous tribes of Quezon to help protect the area. “What we need to realize as a country is that there is a way to work with nature to achieve economic development while being responsible stewards of the environment. This will benefit humans in the long run, as our resources for air, water, and food are protected.”
With Sierra Madre still a trending topic, Congress must hasten institutionalizing protection of this natural asset. Rizal 4th District Representative Fidel Nograles filed House Bill 1972, which seeks to establish a Sierra Madre Development Authority, tasked to oversee the area and rid it of illegal logging and destructive practices.
Considering the vital role of the Sierra Madre, it is quite ironic that we only give attention to it during a natural disaster. What happens when we’re not talking about typhoons? Will saving and protecting Sierra Madre be placed at the backburner once again? We hope not as we don’t know what we’ve got until it’s gone.