28/05/2025
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗙𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝗶𝗲𝗿𝗿𝗮 𝗠𝗮𝗱𝗿𝗲
The scale of mining operation in Sierra Madre is nothing but devastating. Sierra Madre is known for its vast forest teeming with fauna and flora of different species but it’s now in deep pain. The presence of mining corporations that are relentlessly leaving scars to the natural landscape of the mountain range has cut down trees after trees, extracting land beneath the ground. For decades, it has protected the country from strong typhoons particularly Northern Luzon but with its abundance of mineral resources, it has been in critical situations and is now under threatened. In times like this, where must the government stand – in pursuit of its self-interest or the welfare of its people. Can the government bring back the trust of the people?
Back then, in her fight against illegal and unsafe mining, Gina Lopez, the former Secretary of DENR strongly disapproves the operation of mining corporations in Sierra Madre. She even ordered the closure of 23 mines and suspended five others for allegedly damaging watersheds and for siltation of coastal waters and farmlands on February 2, 2017. On February 14, the same year, she also ordered the cancellation of 75 mineral productions sharing agreements with Mineral Production Sharing Agreement in watershed zones, according to Philippine Daily Inquirer. This affirms her vow in protecting the environment during her one-year tenure in the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
What actions from non-government organizations advocating the protection of the Sierra Madre from mining if the government admittedly relies in mining industry. Last year, the Philippine government benefited approximately 157.17 billion Philippine peso from mining and quarrying industry, indicated a slight increase from the previous year, according to Statista.com. It is an undeniable truth that the government had its fair-share in allowing these mining corporations to operate in the restricted areas of Sierra Madre to collect nickels, gold and copper for money. The revenues earned in the industry goes towards various purposes, including local government revenues, government infrastructure projects, and national development goals. It really is ironical to think that supposedly DENR should protect the environment but at the same time, they also have the responsibility to approve mining activities through issuing permits and licenses. Moreover, the mining corporation in Sierra Madre could not operate without the permission coming from DENR itself. We cannot fully blame the economy why it needed the mining industry but without consideration of the long-term impact of mining operations in Sierra Madre, there will be future implications not only to the people but most importantly to the environment. If this continues, the short-term impact can be sweet but it will not take much longer to become bitter.
In crucial times like this, we are encourage to think critically of the situation. Just like what Gina Lopez said, “One-third of Filipinos depends on the natural resources and if the government only makes decisions based on business, it would definitely impact the most vulnerable ones, especially the poor.”
Our society has been increasingly driven by profit and self-interest, the imperative to uphold our moral obligations to both humanity and the environment becomes even more critical. We must actively resist the erosion of ethical values in the pursuit of economic gain, ensuring that compassion and sustainability remain central to our decisions and actions.
Writer: 𝙇𝙤𝙪𝙞𝙨 𝙈𝙞𝙜𝙪𝙚𝙡 𝙁𝙖𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙞
Pubmat: 𝗝𝗼𝗵𝗻𝗱𝘆𝘀 𝗚𝗮𝗺𝗮𝘆𝗼𝗻
