The Sierra Madre shouldn’t just be thanked.
This was the reminder of Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP)–Episcopal Commission on Social Action, Justice, and Peace (ECSA-JP) Vice Chairman Gerardo Alminaza, following the mountain range’s role in shielding much of Luzon from recent storms such as Typhoon Uwan.
According to Alminaza, aside from expressing gratitude, the Sierra Madre must be protected from destruction as a way of repaying the safety it provides during typhoons.
In an interview, he said that if God continues to save people through His creation, the most appropriate response is to protect it in return.
As a Church, he said they must move from rescue to reform, and from rehabilitation to renewal.
He added that the mountains are already “crying,” and that the wounds of the Sierra Madre reflect the wounds of the country — greed, corruption, and neglect.
The Sierra Madre, he warned, is already facing significant destruction due to quarrying, illegal logging, and other harmful projects.
