Senatorial hopeful Benjamin Abalos Jr. has urged the government to prioritize the preservation of the Sierra Madre Mountain Range as part of national disaster mitigation efforts. On Monday, the former interior secretary highlighted the mountain range’s essential role in protecting the country from severe weather.
Abalos emphasized that the Sierra Madre, stretching 600 kilometers and standing at 6,283 feet, acts as Luzon’s natural defense against typhoons originating from the Pacific Ocean. Its formidable presence helps weaken storms, lessens rainfall impact, and prevents floods, landslides, and storm surges.
“Now more than ever, we are seeing how important it is to preserve Sierra Madre’s ecosystems. It is not just a mountain range but our shield, our defense,” Abalos stated.
He called on the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to address illegal logging activities that compromise the range’s integrity. Abalos also advocated for stricter enforcement of environmental protection laws and encouraged local government units to manage and rehabilitate forest areas effectively. He underscored the importance of sustainable agricultural, mining, and tourism practices to maintain the mountain range’s resilience.
Abalos warned that failing to protect the Sierra Madre would leave communities more vulnerable to extreme weather conditions, stressing, “The Sierra Madre must be safeguarded against all forms of exploitation.”
