By Virginia Jasmin Pasalo

 

RECENT satellite imagery revealed significant deforestation in the Sierra Madre mountain range, causing public outcry and debate, with environmental groups expressing concern over its impact on the ecosystem of Sierra Madre, referred to as the “backbone of Luzon”, as it resembles a huge spine or a human backbone when viewed on aerial maps.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), recognizes Sierra Madre as the country’s natural shield against “the force of typhoons, secures water for communities, and shelters rich biodiversity.” The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) agrees. Environmentalists are blaming the degradation of Sierra Madre to the Dinapigue Mining Corporation (DMC), a subsidiary of Nickel Asia Corporation, through a 25-year contract for mining operations in Dinapigue, Isabela in the Sierra Madre mountain range. This is not the only extractive operation visible on aerial maps. A recent photo taken before typhoon Uwan hit the country shows the active quarry operations in the Sierra Madre mountain range located in San Isidro, Angono, Rizal, reportedly operating for almost a decade, exposing a portion of the mountain flattened and stripped of trees. On my visits to Rizal, via the Marcos Highway, I saw quarrying operations in the municipalities of Antipolo, Cainta, Taytay and Teresa. Low-cost subdivisions surround these quarrying sites.

We must task our government to do the appropriate measures to protect our natural resources as was done during the time of the late Gina Lopez, who issued closure orders to errant mining companies. According to the 2025 World Risk Index, the Philippines is the world’s most disaster-prone country “due to high exposure to natural hazards like typhoons and floods, combined with high vulnerability and low coping capacity, which is exacerbated by factors like climate change, urbanization, and weak infrastructure.”  To the greedy and corrupt, stop gnawing Sierra Madre.

 

Sierra Madre

they dance still,
the limbs of trees, slower now
quieter, regaining composure
the frantic, epileptic movements
induced by the whistles
of the wind, relaxed, in full stop
as if, the music never played
as if, it wasn’t heard

another song is playing
a distant echo of mourning
from a mountain
absorbing the shock
the sound and the fury
shielding devastation
of her young
a chain of mothers
standing still, despite the ravages
of greed, devouring from her breasts
gnawing what’s left of her breasts
ripping off her nipples
by those she feeds and protects