Photo courtesy of PhilStar

 

The Sierra Madre, the Philippines' longest mountain range, is facing severe deforestation, losing approximately 9,000 hectares annually. According to the Haribon Foundation's conservation officer Nova Peñaverde Regalario, development projects in Rizal and Quezon contribute significantly to this problem, endangering the ecosystem's role as a carbon sink and storm shield.

 

The Sierra Madre has lost 130,000 hectares of forest cover from 2003 to 2020, as reported by GMA, averaging 7,647 hectares per year. In addition to legal deforestation for developments like dams and roads, illegal activities such as timber poaching, slash-and-burn farming, and mining persist, despite the area's protected status under the Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System Act of 2018.

 

Regalario highlights the issue of unauthorized camping sites and resorts. Despite strict protection zones, many operations continue, raising concerns for the environment and indigenous communities. Only a few projects have received orders to justify their activities in the region, demonstrating challenges in enforcement.

 

The recent devastation by Typhoons Tino and Uwan, which resulted in over 200 deaths and more than 500 injuries, has renewed scrutiny of flood control measures. Many Filipinos attribute the damage to inadequate infrastructure and continued encroachment on natural barriers like the Sierra Madre.

 

Regalario emphasizes that the deforestation of the Sierra Madre exacerbates flood risks, as the forest plays a crucial role in absorbing rainwater. She warns that the annual loss outpaces reforestation efforts, endangering both the ecosystem and local communities as long as detrimental developments continue.

 

Looking ahead, the Haribon Foundation is pushing for more robust government action to halt deforestation and enforce existing regulations, while continuing its reforestation initiatives. The challenge remains immense, but protecting this essential region is crucial for the country's environmental and disaster resilience, reported PhilStar.

 

Key Takeaways

• Sierra Madre loses 9,000 hectares annually due to development projects.
• Despite protection laws, illegal logging and farming persist.
• Recent typhoon devastation highlights need for stricter enforcement.

 

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  Adapted by ASEAN Now from PhilStar 2025-11-14

 

 

Follow the money to see who gets paid to allow this to happen.  The worst effect from my point of view is the increased flooding risk.  Crazy.

An off topic post about wildfires in Southern California has been removed.