As the country marked Indigenous Peoples Sunday on Oct. 8, the Diocese of Infanta in Quezon paid tribute to indigenous peoples whose valuable efforts help protect the environment.

Diocese of Infanta Indigenous Peoples` Apostolate coordinator, Fr. Pete Montallana, OFM particularly cited the contributions of indigenous peoples in helping preserve the Sierra Madre Mountain Range.

Fr. Montallana said members of the indigenous community are the inspiration behind the Save Sierra Madre Network Alliance Inc. (SSMNA) which seeks to preserve and protect the mountain range.

“The indigenous peoples play an essential role in environmental protection and conservation. They give us valuable examples in preserving the environment,” the priest said over Radio Veritas.

The Sierra Madre is the longest mountain range in the Philippines. Spanning over 540 kilometers, it runs from the province of Cagayan down to the province of Quezon, forming a north–south direction on the eastern portion of Luzon, the largest island of the archipelago. 

The SSMNA aims to protect the Sierra Madre, one of the country’s natural barriers against strong typhoons, from potentially damaging projects such as the construction of the Kaliwa Dam which has partially destroyed ancestral lands formerly inhabited by indigenous peoples.

“Let us be responsible stewards of our God given environment before it’s too late and also for the future generation. Let us be mindful that there are indigenous peoples to consider when we build projects in ancestral lands,” said Fr. Montallana.

The second Sunday of October is observed as Indigenous Peoples Sunday in the country. It also marks the culmination of the month long observance of the Season of Creation.