MANILA – Rizal 4th District Representative Fidel Nograles is pushing for the passage of a bill that seeks to establish a body dedicated to the conservation and management of the Sierra Madre, the country’s longest mountain range.
Nograles renewed his call for the passage of House Bill (HB) 1972 following President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s recent aerial inspection of Marikina and Antipolo, during which the President expressed concern over the alarming deforestation of Sierra Madre.
“I hope the President’s observation will encourage Congress to prioritize the creation of the Sierra Madre Development Authority (SMDA),” Nograles stated. He emphasized that this initiative is critical in mitigating the effects of climate change, particularly in reducing floods and landslides during typhoons.
The proposed SMDA would focus on restoring the forest cover and promoting sustainable development in the Sierra Madre region, alongside long-term solutions such as flood control, solid waste management, and land-use planning, Nograles added.
He also highlighted a study by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), which reported that 16.1 million Filipinos face medium-to-high risks of water stress, including frequent floods and droughts. According to the ADB, Metro Manila and other parts of Luzon, as well as regions in Mindanao and the Visayas, are particularly vulnerable.
Under HB 1972, filed by Nograles in July 2022, the SMDA would be tasked with conducting studies on the conservation, improvement, and development of the Sierra Madre region, with oversight from the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).
Nograles described Sierra Madre as the “backbone of Luzon,” serving as a natural barrier against typhoons from the Pacific Ocean and supporting approximately 10 million people living within and around the region.