As Filipinos mark the first anniversary of the Ondoy tragedy, an umbrella group of about 30 church and environment-oriented organizations appealed to the public to preserve the Sierra Madre. The Save Sierra Madre Network (SSMN) marked Sept. 26 as “Save Sierra Madre Day” to move people to action in protecting the environment. The day also marked the tragedy brought by typhoon Ondoy last year when record rains submerged Metro Manila and neighboring provinces in floods that killed thousands of people. Sierra Madre, the longest mountain range in the Philippines, protects a greater part of Luzon from typhoons that visit the island every year. 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.” “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 observed “Sierra Madre Day” with a mass and photo exhibit at the Provident Village Chapel in Marikina City Sunday. The activities were followed by tree planting at the Marikina watershed with each seedling bearing a name of someone who perished in the Ondoy tragedy.
