Church groups urge protection of Sierra Madre on Ondoy anniversary

As Filipinos mark the first anniversary of the tragedy brought by "Ondoy" (international codename: Ketsana), some 30 Church- and environment-oriented groups appealed to the public to preserve the Sierra Madre. The Save Sierra Madre Network (SSMN) is marking September 26 as “Save Sierra Madre Day" to move people into acting to protect the environment. Sierra Madre, the longest mountain range in the Philippines, protects a greater part of Luzon from typhoons that visit the island every year. Sierra Madre protects most of Luzon "Member organizations will initiate various activities in the provinces of the Sierra Madre Mountains, including Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Viscaya, Nueva Ecija, Aurora, Quirino, Bulacan, NCR, Rizal, Quezon, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Albay and Sorsogon," the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines said. SSMN seeks to promote awareness on forest deforestation, illegal logging and mining, and people’s active participation in conservation. It said last year’s tragedy brought by "Ondoy" “was caused by an unusually high level of precipitation, aggravated by anthropogenic factors including deforestation and destruction of the Sierra Madre Mountains." Threats from illegal logging and quarrying "But with rampant illegal logging, quarrying and other development projects the mountains’ rich bio-diversity is fast shrinking," the CBCP said. In partnership with the Diocese of Antipolo, SSMN will start its observance of “Sierra Madre Day" with a Mass, Rosary, Vigil and Photo exhibit this afternoon at the Provident Village Chapel in Marikina City Sunday. Memorial rites for Ondoy victims Activities will include a Memorial service and Mass, followed by tree planting at the Marikina watershed with each seedling bearing a name of someone who perished in the Ondoy tragedy. SSMN members include Grace Padaca, former Governor, Isabela; Tony Abuso, Episcopal Commission for Indigenous Peoples (ECIP); Donna Paz T. Reyes, Ph.D. Executive Director, Miriam-P.E.A.C.E. (Public .Education and Awareness .Campaign for the .Environment); Nina Galang, Green Convergence; Fr. Bien Miguel, Diocese of Antipolo; Fr. Ernie P. Pesimo, Diocese of San Jose, Nueva Ecija; Sr. Angie Villanueva, RC, JPICC – AMRSP; Sr. Susan Esmile, SFIC Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Concepcion, Coordinator, Justice Peace and Integrity of Creation; Sr. Glocar Eamiguel, FMM, FMM-JPIC; Ruby Ephraim M Rubiano, MD, Agham Partylist; Rogelio Buban, SAGIBIN- LN, Quezon; Sr. Malou Santos, DW, Daughters of Wisdom; Order of Friars Minor-Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation (OFM-JPIC); Franciscan Movement for Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation (FMJPIC); Haribon Foundation, EcoWaste Coalition, Task Force Sierra Madre, Task Force Kalikasan, Earth Day Network, COPE Infanta, Tribal Center for Development. - TJD, GMANews.TV