Issue

“The Issue: What’s Happening in the Sierra Madre?

The Sierra Madre’s ecosystem is threatened by illegal logging, mining, land-use changes, and poorly regulated agriculture, leading to continuous forest degradation.
Around 193,000 hectares of forests under Community-Based Forest Management Agreements still suffer from species loss due to poor planning, expanded road access, and failure to follow proper harvesting methods.
Investors’ mining claims covering 811,541 hectares further endanger the ecosystem when environmental laws are not properly enforced.
The range is losing 9,000 hectares of forest per year, weakening its role as a carbon sink and reducing biodiversity.
Improperly managed agricultural migration into logged areas results in continued habitat loss and long-term environmental decline.

Degradation of the Sierra Madre threatens millions of people, increasing risks of flooding, landslides, and drought, especially in lowland communities.
Indigenous Peoples face the loss of their ancestral lands and cultural identity due to land conversion and extractive activities.
Agriculture relying on Sierra Madre for irrigation becomes more vulnerable as deforestation disrupts water systems.
With the Sierra Madre weakened, storms produce heavier floods, as the mountains can no longer absorb rainfall effectively.
Communities warn that without the range, disaster impacts could double, especially during strong typhoons.

Almost 6,000 football fields’ worth of forest have been lost, partly due to large-scale mining operations inside the mountain range.
Projects such as those by Dinapigue Mining Corporation caused mudslides and flash floods, leading to temporary shutdowns, but operations continued under new developers.
Government-approved mining contracts in ecologically sensitive zones contribute to long-term environmental decline.
Tourism sites, energy projects, and land development continue expanding into protected areas, reflecting weak regulatory oversight.
Critics argue that continued industry operations display a pattern of environmental negligence that endangers future populations.

The Sierra Madre is recognized by the government as a natural shield protecting Luzon against typhoons, storm surges, and massive flooding.
Despite protective laws such as the ENIPAS Act (2018) and Presidential Proclamation 413 (Save Sierra Madre Day), enforcement remains insufficient.
Agencies like the DENR face criticism for allowing ongoing illegal logging, mining, and unpermitted development inside protected areas.
Citizens also blame corruption, weak infrastructure planning, and inadequate flood-control systems for worsening disaster impacts.
A 2024 satellite-imagery study revealed continuous forest loss, linking it to political decisions, insufficient accountability, and lapses in environmental governance.

Sources