Sierra Madre reforestation program set

CITY OF MALOLOS, Bulacan – The provincial government of Bulacan is set to launch a massive reforestation program in the Sierra Madre mountain range in a bid to restore its once lush vegetation that was badly damaged by years of illegal logging.

Bulacan Gov. Wilhelmino M. SyAlvarado and Vice Governor Daniel R. Fernando said that the massive tree planting drive must be carried out soon because saving and conserving the forests of the Sierra Madre is crucial to the success of the government’s program of resolving the destructive effects of global warming and climate change.

Alvarado added that the people may find it unsuitable for public officials to address the higher issues of climate change and global warming if they could not solve the problem of illegal logging in the watershed areas of Norzagaray, Angat and Dona Remedios Trinidad.

Fernando echoed the statement of Alvarado, adding that it is high time that everyone should assume a more active role in protecting the environment.

Fernando added that he already met with various youth groups in Bulacan, whose members vowed to fully support pro-environment projects.

Bulacan 1st District Rep. Jose Antonio R. Sy-Alvarado said largescale tree-planting activities will soon be carried out along the vast Sierra Madre mountain range, particularly in the mountains of Eastern Bulacan located in Angat, San Miguel, Norzagaray and DRT. “This is a concerted move to save the rain forests of that are part of the country’s largest mountain range.”

Environmental watchdogs, like the Sagip Sierra Madre Environment Society (SSMES), have deplored the unhampered illegal logging and illegal mining activities at Sierra Madre where old and big trees in vast areas of the mountain range have vanished.

Bro. Martin Franscisco, chairman of SSMES, pointed out that the mountain range, which is also the ancestral domain of the indigenous Dumagat tribe, is a natural barrier against powerful typhoons coming from the Pacific ocean.

“But long years of rampant destruction have taken its toll as evidenced by recurring flash floods experienced by those living in low-lying areas whenever typhoons hit the region,” Francisco added.

Recently, illegally cut lumber worth P1,408,500.00 million were confiscated in a joint anti-illegal logging operations conducted by a task force in Bulacan spearheaded by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.