Speaker Dy pushes Sierra Madre protection amid flooding concerns

MANILA, Philippines – With heavy rains and typhoons raising the risk of flooding in Metro Manila and nearby areas, House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” G. Dy III on Friday called for stronger protection of forests, watersheds and other natural defenses against increasingly severe weather.

Dy, author of House Bill No. 3538, said recent flooding underscored the need to protect and restore critical ecosystems while addressing other factors that worsen flooding.

“Ang mga pagbaha na naranasan natin sa iba’t-ibang lugar ay isang malinaw na paalala na hindi natin maaaring paghiwalayin ang kaligtasan ng ating mga komunidad sa pangangalaga sa ating kalikasan,” Dy said.

“Flood control cannot be about infrastructure alone,” he added, stressing that forests, watersheds and natural ecosystems form part of the country’s first line of defense against extreme weather.

The House technical working group under the Committee on Government Enterprises and Privatization resumed discussions this week on the proposed creation of the Sierra Madre Mountain Range Authority (SMMRA), with HB 3538 serving as the mother bill.

The meeting was presided over by Bukidnon Rep. Jose Manuel Alba.

Under the proposed substitute bill, the SMMRA would become the central policy, coordinating and regulatory body for managing the Sierra Madre Mountain Range and overseeing its ecological governance.

It would also formulate and implement a 25-year Sierra Madre Master Plan focused on science-based, ecosystem-oriented, climate-resilient conservation, protection, restoration and sustainable development.

The measure likewise proposes a “nature-based solutions-first” policy, prioritizing natural ecosystems in addressing environmental and climate-related challenges.

Dy said flooding shows the need for a comprehensive approach combining infrastructure, environmental protection, sound land-use policies and disaster resilience.

The Sierra Madre, the country’s longest mountain range, contains extensive forests and watersheds that provide vital ecological functions for communities across Luzon.

Dy also emphasized that conservation efforts must include sustainable livelihood opportunities for communities living within and around the mountain range.

“Hindi natin kailangang mamili sa pagitan ng pangangalaga sa kalikasan at kabuhayan ng ating mga kababayan,” he said.

The proposed SMMRA was recently included among the priority measures of the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council, strengthening efforts to establish a long-term framework for protecting the mountain range.

— The Summit Express