SIERRA MADRE BIODIVERSITY

Sierra Madre is considered one of the most biodiverse areas and the largest remaining
tract
of rainforest in the country. The Sierra Madre is the backbone of the island of Luzon, it
stretches
along the eastern side of Northern Luzon (Region II) and the Eastern part of Isabela
Province. It
was designated as a Protected Area by virtue of RA 9125 in 2001.
According to the Integrated Biodiversity Assessment Tool (IBAT) curated by
BirdLife
International, International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and United
Nations
Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC),
the forests
and coastline of Presidential Proclamation No. 1636 (series of 1977) is a key habitat to
15 species
of amphibians, 334 bird species, 1476 fish species, 963 invertebrate species, 81
mammal species,
50 plant species, and 60 reptile species (Kaliwa Dam Will Destroy Sierra Madre
Biodiversity –
Haribon Foundation, 2019).
SIERRA MADRE BIODIVERSITY
Sierra Madre is considered one of the most biodiverse areas and the largest remaining
tract
of rainforest in the country. The Sierra Madre is the backbone of the island of Luzon, it
stretches
along the eastern side of Northern Luzon (Region II) and the Eastern part of Isabela
Province. It
was designated as a Protected Area by virtue of RA 9125 in 2001.
According to the Integrated Biodiversity Assessment Tool (IBAT) curated by
BirdLife
International, International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and United
Nations
Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC),
the forests
and coastline of Presidential Proclamation No. 1636 (series of 1977) is a key habitat to
15 species
of amphibians, 334 bird species, 1476 fish species, 963 invertebrate species, 81
mammal species,
50 plant species, and 60 reptile species (Kaliwa Dam Will Destroy Sierra Madre
Biodiversity –
Haribon Foundation, 2019).
SIERRA MADRE BIODIVERSITY
Sierra Madre is considered one of the most biodiverse areas and the largest remaining
tract of rainforest in the country. The Sierra Madre is the backbone of the island of
Luzon, it stretches along the eastern side of Northern Luzon (Region II) and the Eastern
part of Isabela Province. It was designated as a Protected Area by virtue of RA 9125 in
2001.
According to the Integrated Biodiversity Assessment Tool (IBAT) curated by
BirdLife International, International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and
United Nations Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre
(UNEP-WCMC), the forests and coastline of Presidential Proclamation No. 1636
(series of 1977) is a key habitat to 15 species of amphibians, 334 bird species, 1476
fish species, 963 invertebrate species, 81 mammal species, 50 plant species, and 60
reptile species (Kaliwa Dam Will Destroy Sierra Madre Biodiversity – Haribon
Foundation, 2019).
Human activity is the greatest threat to earth’s resources, and this mountain range is no
exception. Mining activities, illegal logging, wildlife hunting, sprawling, and
industrialization are slowly chipping away the forest landscape that represents 40% of
the Philippines’ forest cover. It is home to 68 protected areas including La Mesa
Watershed Reservation and the Upper Marikina River Basin Protected Landscapes.
However, despite being protected by law, destructive activities still make their way
around and continue to exploit their resources. Most times, forest rangers prove no
match against the might of mining companies, logging operations, and armed guards
that are a common sight in places far from the public eye.
LOGGING
Illegal logging poses a serious threat to biodiversity and rural livelihoods in the Northern
Sierra Madre Natural Park (NSMNP). Timber is harvested in all lowland dipterocarp
forest areas of the protected area. It is estimated that about 20,000 to 35,000 cu. M
wood per year is illegally extracted for the NSMNP, representing a minimal market
value of 238 million PHP. In comparison, the annual allowable cut of the three
remaining logging concessions in Isabela combined is 37,794 cu. M.
In the Cagayan Valley, timber extraction is concentrated along all major river systems of
the protected area, most notably Abuan River and the Bintacan River in Ilagan, and the
Catalangan River, the Disabungan River, and the Ilaguen River in San Mariano. Here,
wood is transported out of the protected area by river. In San Pablo, Cabagan and
Tumauini logging activities are taking place on a much smaller scale; in this area most
timber stands are located at an elevation of 800 m and are commercially less
interesting. In Divilacan and Palanan, accessibility is the main factor why illegal logging
is relatively limited.
Timber poaching or illegal logging has also resulted in the annual reduction of the
mossy forest areas by 1,010 hectares, and the reduction of pine groves by 253
hectares. It has further led to the expansion of other brushlands at a rate of 12,564
hectares per year in Cagayan Province. Such activities, which primarily involve carabao
logging, have caused soil erosion resulting in severe or heavy siltation of the Cagayan
Valley River Basin. In Isabela, there has been a substantial increase in the illegal
collection of narra due to the flourishing furniture trade in Isabela. A similar situation
occurs in the province of Bulacan, where there is rampant illegal gathering of
forest products for furniture. In Aurora province, illegal logging activities are rampant in
Casiguran and San Luis, as well as hunting and gathering of fuelwood and minor forest
products. This has resulted in landslides and soil erosion in the Pingit Watershed in
Baler and sedimentation of the Diteki River.
KALIWA DAM
From reefs to rainforests and from mangroves to mountains, the Sierra Madre Mountain
Range is widely considered to be one of the most biodiverse areas in the country. It is
also one of the most threatened due to human-induced environmental change such as
unsustainable resource exploitation, changes in land use, infrastructure development,
and political neglect. One of the threats to the Sierra Madre Mountain Range is the
construction of the Kaliwa Dam.
The Kaliwa Watershed Forest Reserve, in which the Kaliwa Dam is said to be
constructed, was declared as a forest reserve by Proclamation No. 573 on June 22,
1968. Under Proclamation No. 1636 issued on April 18, 1977, a portion of the
watershed was declared as a National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary. The Kaliwa Dam
project is one of the flagship infrastructure projects identified by the government that will
be financed by China through a bilateral loan agreement. However, this structural
advancement will adversely impact the Sierra Madre Mountain Range.
The construction of the multi-billion peso Kaliwa Dam Project will not only have
devastating effects on people’s lives, it will also ravage the homes of thousands
of threatened wildlife species in the Sierra Madre mountain forests including the
Critically Endangered Philippine Eagle. This will create irreversible damage to the rich
biodiversity that is thriving in the mountain ranges of the Sierra Madre.
The dam construction will endanger various plant life found in the Sierra Madre
Mountain Range. The biggest portion of the Kaliwa Watershed vegetation has
approximately 12,147 hectares of residual forests which has around 172 plant or flora
species recorded: 39 of which are endemic or only found in the country, and 17 are
threatened or vulnerable to endangerment or extinction in the near future.
The threat does not only apply to the ecosystem embodied in the Sierra Madre
Mountain Range but also extends to the communities protected by the mountain
range with regard to devastating typhoons entering the country. Disturbing the
mountain range will increase the vulnerability of the communities to disaster induced
by typhoons such as massive flooding and landslides. Moreover, indigenous people
living around the proposed construction shall be displaced due to the construction
affecting their lives and livelihood.
EXPANSION OF HUMAN SETTLEMENT
The original inhabitants of Sierra Madre are the Agta, a Negrito population, traditionally
living as hunters and gatherers, but increasingly forced to adapt to changing habitat
conditions brought about by logging operations and waves of encroaching farmers. The
population density of the Agta has always been relatively low, but waves of migrants
have entered the area in the wake of logging operations. The migrants have settled in
the logged-over areas, converting forest land to agricultural land through slash and-burn
agriculture. By now, the migrants outnumber the local people. Among these migrants
are many people (such as the Ifugao and the Tinggian) who originate from the
tribal, upland communities in the Cordillera Mountains. In recent decades, the country
experienced a boom in real estate development and the implementation of land reform.
Mountains were cleared, slash-and-burn farming prevailed in key biodiversity areas, and
mono-agroforestry became popular. Though built on good intentions, these initiatives
took a long-term toll on our species' habitats.
The threats to the Sierra Madre biodiversity corridor are complex and interlinked
by destructive resource utilization, development related activities and population
pressure (from high rates of natural birth and in-migration). These threats are
compounded by the Philippine government plan to open economic growth centers in
the region that will result to the opening of the industrial zones in nearby areas (for
example the Cagayan Special Economic Zone Authority in the north and the Pacific
Coast City in the south). These proposed industrial growth centers will put pressure on
the biodiversity resources of the nearby areas as a result of urban settlements due to
the influx of workers in these areas. Two proposed industrial estate development
projects that would occupy the end sections of the Sierra Madre biodiversity corridor: (1)
the Cagayan Special Economic Zone in the north, and (2) the Pacific Coast City in
the south. By their very nature, intensive development projects are perceived to be
a threat to biodiversity. Further imminent threats to biodiversity and the
environment is expected to occur when these economic zones become managed
by groups who merely pay lip service to conserve and protect the valuable
resources of the region. The most direct impact of these projects will be the dislocation
of many local farming communities who will join the ranks of those who may be forced
to invade open access areas in adjacent forestlands. This will have grave implications
for the increasing pressure on the use of natural and biodiversity resources in the Sierra
Madre.
KAINGIN / CONVERSION INTO FARMLAND
Sierra Madre and its biodiversity have been degraded at an alarming rate due
to a combination of illegal anthropogenic forest activity, such as slash and burn.
Slash and Burn Farming or Kaingin converted some parts of the Sierra Madre to
Agricultural Land.
The Dumagat community are engaged with such activities in order to sustain their
needs in food and for livelihood. However, with this method, trees are being cut and the
remaining parts of the trees in the soil are being burned.
Cleared areas were typically maintained in a deforested state permanently, causing
habitat fragmentation and biodiversity loss. Moreover, the burning is a significant
source of carbon dioxide emissions, which will remain in the atmosphere which results
to global warming.
WILDLIFE HUNTING
One of the major threats to Sierra Madre's biodiversity is regarded as wildlife hunting.
The Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park (NSMNP) is the largest Protected Area in the
Philippines with contiguous tropical rainforest. The area is also the richest in terms of
genetic, species, and habitat diversity in the country.
For thousands of years, humans have engaged in hunting. It is commonly believed that
humans evolved as hunters and gatherers. The primary reason for hunting was to
obtain the meat necessary for survival. While some individuals still go hunting for
fun, relaxation, or fame. Nowadays, a lot of individuals hunt for fun rather than out of
necessity. A decrease in animal population has been caused by hunting. Some
animal species' populations have become endangered or even extinct as a result
of hunting. High demands for food and other basic commodities that can only be
obtained from animals are also a result of the population growth. These are a few of the
most intentional and persistent hunting practices that cause overhunting. It is well-
established that hunting impedes animal migration. As a result of being hunted
and murdered, animals grow fearful of being killed, which may eventually cause them to
migrate.
Animals can have a big impact on how an ecosystem works. Pollination work is done by
insects, birds, and bats, and it is crucial for many forms of agriculture. Animals like
birds and mammals consume berries and then spread seeds through their waste. By
disrupting the soil and consuming or destroying old, mature flora, herds of grazing
animals encourage fresh life. Although every species in an ecosystem serves a
specialized purpose, certain species have an unreasonably big impact. The term
"keystone species" refers to animals that have a positive impact on the environment.
The behavior of herbivores is influenced by keystone species, which aid in forming the
local ecology. Herbivores are dissuaded from unwinding and enjoying themselves
whenever they feel like it when predators are around. Vegetation is frequently
overgrazed in ecosystems when predators are absent, which has a detrimental
effect on other wildlife's habitat. As a result, it is made clear how crucial animals are to
preserving ecological harmony. Complexity and biodiversity, or the diversity of living
things within an ecosystem, are also crucial to the health of an ecosystem. The
ecosystem as a whole will suffer from changes in habitat complexity and species
extinction.
ROAD AND INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT
Road building is arguably the most serious threat to conservation of biodiversity in the
Sierra Madre Corridor. Because Region 2 has the second lowest Gross Regional
Domestic Product among the 14 regions of the country since 1998, the Cagayan Valley
Strategic Development Plan identified road development as one of the main priorities in
achieving a robust and sustainable economy.
Among the approved road by the Regional Development Council are: a) road
from Dingading, San Guillermo to Dinapigue; b)72 kilometers of old growth forest in
Gattaran, Baggao and Cagayan, a habitat of many endemic species; c) about 67
kilometers of old growth forest to Barangay Bolos Point in the coastal area of Gattaran,
and; d) provincial road that will connect the valley side to the coastal barangays of the
Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park.
In the province of Quirino, the 50 kilometers Maddela-Casiguran Road that will connect
Aurora to Quirino, the Maddela-Nagtipunan-A Castaneda-North Ecija Road, and the
Maddela-San Agustin-Jones Road will also traverse the Sierra Madre Mountains.
In addition to all of these, two major industrial developments planned in the corridor are:
a) the Cagayan Special Economic Zone, which covers portions of the forest area in
Gonzaga and Sta. Ana Cagayan, and; b) Pacific Coast City in General Nakar and
Umiray, Quezon which will affect 28,000 hectares of primary forest within the corridor.
The construction of these roads and resulting access to Sierra Madre Mountain Range,
and related development will place the entire forest and adjacent marine ecosystem of
the corridor in great peril. The biological and physical functions of these ecosystems will
be under great pressure from inadequately managed development.
MINING AND QUARRYING
Human activity has always been the greatest threat to this planet, and the Sierra Madre
is no exception. Illegal—and legal—mining, deforestation, and construction on its land
are slowly chipping away at Luzon’s biggest natural shield.
Mining, which continuously chipping away and destroying Sierra Madre, also
includes forest degradation, and erosion. It makes Luzon vulnerable to super typhoons,
landslides, and flash floods. Recently, super typhoons Rolly and Ulysses affected
millions of people in eight regions which caused too much damage to the lives of
Filipino people. If we will stop mining that also causes deforestation and erosion, then
we will be able to prevent mudslides and floods from strong typhoons which destroys
our communities.
For the past generations, Sierra Madre Mountain Range protected us from calamities
and disasters. But currently, it is being threatened by human activities which
surely affects its capability to shield mainland Luzon from incoming typhoons, and also
threatens its biodiversity of wildlife. We have to protect the forests of Sierra Madre if we
want to prevent another water crisis and another super typhoon ravaging Luzon.
FOREST FIRE
Forest fires have many implications for biological diversity. At the global scale, they are
a significant source of emitted carbon, contributing to global warming which could
lead to biodiversity changes. At the regional and local level, they lead to change in
biomass stocks, alter the hydrological cycle with subsequent effects for marine systems
such as coral reefs, and impact plant and animal species' functioning. Smoke from fires
can significantly reduce photosynthetic activity (Davies and Unam, 1999) and can be
detrimental to health of humans and animals.
Tropical forests are also subject to fires started by humans for agricultural
clearing. Deforestation fires, which are more common in disturbed forests, can vary in
intensity and burn standing trees, at the worst completely burning the forest leaving
nothing but bare soil.
In forests where fire is not a natural disturbance, it can have devastating impacts on
forest vertebrates and invertebrates - not only killing them directly, but also
leading to longer-term indirect effects such as stress and loss of habitat,
territories, shelter and food. The loss of key organisms in forest ecosystems,
such as invertebrates, pollinators and decomposers, can significantly slow the
recovery rate of the forest (Boer, 1989).
Sierra Madre with its vast view of green vegetation would really catch the attention of
any person when looking at it or even at distance. The Northern portion situated on the
provinces of Cagayan and Isabela, Sierra Madre made a significant role on sustaining
the biodiversity within as well as the lives of the people living in the proximity of the
mountains.
The security of our future generations depends on how we act on protecting our natural
resources. Words are not enough; we have to act on it. We need to realize as a country
that there is a way to work with nature to achieve economic development while
being responsible stewards of the environment.
THE SIERRA MADRE AS A NATURAL WIND BARRIER
“According to myths, Bugsong Hangin used to court Sierra Madre when they
were younger. So when Bugsong Hangin discovered that Sierra married another guy,
he vowed to send his strongest winds to destroy the land where Sierra and her kids live.
Tonight, Sierra’s once again on defense against Bugsong Hangin.”
The Sierra Madre, which stretches for 500km, has long shielded the island of
Luzon, including the capital, Manila, from the worst of the typhoons that form in the
Pacific Ocean. While the rugged mountain slopes can mitigate strong winds, the forests
also absorb heavy rains.
With the recent onslaught of typhoon “Nalgae”(Paeng), weakened winds against
Northern Luzon was seen as Sierra Madre served as a barrier blocking majority of the
strong winds brought about by the typhoon. Left unblocked these winds would pose a
great threat to the province of Cagayan as well as nearby provinces, which would affect
our agricultural, industrial sectors and the people as well.
With the Philippines being located along the typhoon belt in the Pacific, the country is
visited by an average of 20 typhoons every year, five of which are destructive (Asian
Disaster Reduction Center, 2019). Luckily, we are protected by a 1.4 million hectare
mountain range that acts as a natural shield against typhoons and storm surges – the
Sierra Madre.
Also known as “the backbone of Luzon,” the Sierra Madre Mountain Range is the
longest in the Philippines, spanning almost 500 kilometers in length. It covers 10
provinces – Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, Nueva Ecija, Aurora, Bulacan,
Rizal, Laguna and Quezon, and it’s highest peak has an elevation of “1,266 meters
above sea level or equivalent to three Petronas Towers of Malaysia stacked together”
(BusinessMirror, 2018).
We may be unaware of it but this mountain range has saved our lives countless
times. Numerous typhoons could have been more devastating for the Philippines, but
thanks to the Sierra Madre, these fierce typhoons have been stifled.
Typhoon Ompong, which hit the country in 2018, is an example of a could-have-been
more devastating super typhoon. With an international name Mangkhut, this super
typhoon was seen to be the strongest storm to ever hit the planet for the year 2018.
However, the Sierra Madre Mountain Range slowed down Ompong’s sustained winds
from 220 kilometers per hour to 160 kilometers per hour. Our natural wall hampered
Super Typhoon Ompong’s greater impact.
“Since the Sierra Madre has a large surface area with many slopes and curves, it can
help break the eye of the cyclone resulting in a slower wind speed,” (Haribon,
as cited in BusinessMirror, 2018). The Sierra Madre Mountain Range also served as
our protective barrier on the onslaught of Typhoon Karen and Super Typhoon Lawin in
2016.
HABITAT OF RARE AND ENDANGERED FLORA AND FAUNA SPECIES
This is one of the reasons why Sierra Madre is considered as the largest protected area
in the Philippines. The importance of the Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park is
underscored by the myriad of rare and endangered species of flora and fauna that it
supports. These include Philippine Eagle, Golden Crowned Flying Fox, Philippine
Eagle-Owl, Isabela Oriole, Green Dea Turtle, Loggerhead Turtle, Hawksbill Turtle,
Philippine Crocodile and Dugong. The mountain range system provides area for
growth and development of unique habitats and their associated flora and fauna, e.g.,
grasslands to mountain forests, which is among the most unique and richest on a per
area basis among the park systems in the Philippines. It is also a habitat to many
endemic and rare species of plants. Among these are the various species of the
dipterocrap family, various orchids, the leguminous tree, and a member of the citrus
family.
Without Flora and Fauna, humans could not exist. The flora generates and releases
oxygen, which is needed by the fauna for respiratory purposes. In return, fauna
produces and releases carbon dioxide, which is needed by the flora for
photosynthesis. It’s a symbiotic kind of relationship. Humans, cannot get by without
both flora and fauna. The oxygen that we breathe in comes from the flora, and the
carbon dioxide we exhale is for the flora.
Also, humans benefit a lot from flora and fauna in terms of sources of food, medicine
and water. Our main source of food emanates from plant and animal species. Over 90%
of the medicine we use to cure diseases comes from flora. If it were not for the flora,
there would be no water, which means we would not exist right now

HOME OF PROTECTED WATERSHEDS

The large mountain range is home to almost 20 protected areas and forests, such as
the La Mesa Watershed Reservation and the Upper Marikina River Basin Protected
Landscapes.

Sierra Madre's forests provide fresh water to residents of Metro Manila, Cagayan,
Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Nueva Ecija, Quirino, Aurora, Quezon, Rizal, Laguna and
Bulacan. They supply water to at least 1.5 million people, the highest population in
Region II. With a growing population, water demand is expected to be even higher
in the near future. The mountain range is host to multiple critical watersheds. Water
that falls upcountry flows all the way down the Pasig River, Marikina River and then out
to Manila [Link] is exactly that water that the Philippine government wants to harness,
as a solution to the capital’s drinking water woes because there are 16 watersheds can
be found. Sierra Madre also stabilizes the water flow and soil to prevent
typhoon-related calamities.

LOCAL OR INSTITUTIONAL MEASURES BEING UNDERTAKEN TO PROTECT/

PRESERVE SIERRA MADRE:

PROCLAMATION NO. 413, SERIES 2012 - DECLARING SEPTEMBER 26 OF EVERY

YEAR AS “SAVE SIERRA MADRE DAY”

On 26 September 2009, typhoon Ondoy brought upon our country continuous heavy
rains that caused flooding, which can be attributed to the continuous deforestation,
degradation, and destruction of the Sierra Madre Mountains, in major cities and also
took the lives of many of our countrymen and women;

In view of the need for continuing awareness for and participation in the rehabilitation,
reforestation, protection, and conservation of the Sierra Madre Mountains, Proclamation
233 (s. 2011) was issued declaring 26 September 2011 as Save Sierra Madre Day;

The issuance of a Proclamation declaring 26 September of every year as Save Sierra

Madre Day will help boost awareness among the general public on the importance
of preserving our forests as well as protecting, managing, and properly utilizing the
natural resources of the country; and

It is proper and fitting to make 26 September of every year as Save Sierra Madre Day to
remind our people of the risks and dangers which a lack of concern and action for the
Sierra Madre Mountains may bring about.

HOUSE BILL NO. 5634 - CREATION OF SIERRA MADRE DEVELOPMENT

AUTHORITY

Aside from protecting the mountain range, the bill also calls for the adoption of a
“holistic approach to enhance the development of indigenous resources of the Sierra
Madre region to its fullest potential for economic development.

Functions of the SMDA:

a) Conduct a comprehensive survey of the physical and natural resources of the

Sierra Madre region and draft a comprehensive plan to conserve and utilize said
resources

b) Provide machinery for extending the necessary planning, management and

technical assistance to prospective and existing investors

c) Provide recommendations to the proper agencies regarding the financing and

technical support to be given to agricultural, industrial and commercial projects

d) Assess and approve all plans, programs, and projects proposed by local
government/agencies within the region related to the development of the mountain
range

e) Plan, program, finance and undertake infrastructure projects such as river, flood, and
tidal control work, wastewater and sewerage work, dams and water supply, road,
irrigation, housing and other related work

f) Undertake studies on the conservation, improvement, exploration, development,

and maintenance of the Sierra Madre Mountain Range

RA 9125 (NORTHERN SIERRA MADRE NATURAL PARK, ACT OF 2001) An act

establishing the northern Sierra Madre mountain range within the province of Isabela as
a protected area and its peripheral areas as buffer zones, providing for its management
and for other purposes

This Act declares the Northern Sierra Madre Mountain Range to be a protected area
and its peripheral areas to be buffer zones in order to ensure the protection and
conservation of biodiversity. The protected area shall be known as the Northern Sierra
Madre Natural Park.
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. – Considering the unique biological and ecological
importance of the Northern Sierra Madre as the widest remaining tropical rainforest in
the Island of Luzon; owing to its rich and diverse ecosystems spanning from coral reefs
and seagrass beds to mangroves and beach forests, ultramafic forests, forests over
limestone, lowland dipterocarps to montane forests; recognizing its status as home to a
variety of endemic species of plants and animals such as the rare Philippine Eagle,
cloud rat and jade vine, and threatened and endangered species like the pawikan
and estuarine crocodile; and because of its aesthetic, historical, cultural and economic
importance to the country, it is hereby declared the policy of the State to secure the
protection, preservation and rehabilitation of the Northern Sierra Madre Mountain Range
within the Province of Isabela, its communities, their culture and their way of life insofar
as they are in harmony with nature and do not alter the ecological systems and the
magnitude of biological diversity of the area. In so doing, the State shall ensure the
protection and conservation of biodiversity of the NSMNP through sustainable and
participatory development, to advance and protect the interests of its legitimate
inhabitants and honor customary laws in accordance with Republic Act No. 7586 or the
National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) Act of 1992 and Republic Act No.
8371 or the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act of 1997, as well as international
conventions to which the Philippines is a signatory.
RESOURCES:
Asian Disaster Reduction Center. (2019). Information on Disaster Risk Reduction of the
Member Countries – Philippines. Retrieved from [Link]
BusinessMirror. (2018). Sierra Madre stifles world’s fiercest typhoon this year. Retrieved
from [Link]
typhoon-this-year/
FOREST BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY - Unasylva 209. (n.d.).
[Link] [Link]
Forest Foundation Philippines. (n.d.). Sierra Madre. Retrieved from
[Link]
Illegal Logging in the Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park, Philippines - Ploeg, J.V.,
Weerd M. J., Masipiqueña, A. B., Persoon, G.A., 2011
Kaliwa Dam will destroy Sierra Madre biodiversity – Haribon Foundation. (2019,
September 19). The Haribon Foundation. [Link]
destroy-sierra-madre-biodiversity-haribon-foundation/
Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park and Outlying Areas Inclusive of the Buffer Zone
[Link] Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park
[Link]
SIERRA MADRE: THE PHILIPPINES’ NATURAL BARRIER AGAINST TYPHOONS.
Retrieved From [Link]
against-typhoons/
Sign the Petition. (n.d.). [Link]. [Link]
madre- stop-illegal-mining
The Mountains Protect Us. Retrieved from
[Link] mountains-protect-us-safeguards-
sought-for-philippines-sierra-madre-shield-against- typhoons#:~:text=The%20Sierra
%20Madre%2C%20which%20stretches,forests%20also%20absorb%20heavy%20rains.
The Philippines Hotspot - (2001, December 11).