Solons call for Sierra Madre protection

Senator Erwin Tulfo on Tuesday renewed calls for stricter environmental protections for the Sierra Madre mountain range, describing the natural barrier as a “mother” that shields millions of Filipinos from devastating typhoons.

In a privilege speech delivered at the Senate plenary, Tulfo highlighted the critical role the mountain range played during super typhoon “Uwan,” which battered Luzon over the weekend.

“Just last Saturday and Sunday, when super typhoon ‘Uwan’ hit Luzon, we once again witnessed the resilience of the Sierra Madre,” Tulfo said. “She was the one who stopped the storm, held back the fury of the wind, and saved millions of lives in Luzon.”

The Sierra Madre, stretching over 540 kilometers from Cagayan to Quezon, historically acts as the country’s primary natural shield against typhoons from the Pacific Ocean, mitigating damage from previous storms like “Yolanda,” “Rolly” and “Paeng.”

However, the senator warned that human activities threaten the mountain’s protective capacity. “Mining operations continue to carve scars upon its slopes. Illegal logging and quarrying erode its soil. Infrastructure and resort developments threaten to fragment its forests,” he said.

Tulfo urged the government to immediately review and approve the implementation of protections for the Sierra Madre. He called for stricter bans on harmful mining, logging, and all types of construction for resorts or residences, alongside providing nature-based livelihoods for indigenous and local communities.

During his manifestation on his brother’s speech, Senator Raffy Tulfo called for stronger enforcement of environmental laws and focused on the ongoing controversy surrounding the Kaliwa Dam project in the Sierra Madre.