Sierra Madre Conservation and Protection Act

Senate Office of the Sectarp TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 26 JAN 26 P1:41 First Regular Session SENATE RECEIVED BY S. No. 1687 Introduced by Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE SIERRA MADRE CONSERVATION AUTHORITY TO STRENGTHEN THE CONSERVATION AND PROTECTION OF THE SIERRA MADRE MOUNTAIN RANGE, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES EXPLANATORY NOTE Sierra Madre mountain range is a critical geological feature in eastern Philippines, straddling in ten provinces - Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, Nueva Ecija, Aurora, Bulacan, Rizal, Laguna, and Quezon. The 540-kilometer stretch is home to thousands of endemic plant and animal species as a vital biodiversity site. The "mother mountain" which covers 1.4 million hectares of land also acts as a carbon sink and a great barrier against the devastating blows of typhoons from the Pacific Ocean, thereby saving millions of Filipinos against the worst impacts of climate-related disasters. But recent reports tell that the Sierra Madre is persistently under threats of aggressive exploitation and destructive activities, such as deforestation, quarrying, mining, and illegal logging. Haribon Foundation said that around 9,000 hectares of its forest cover are lost every year'. Despite being the site of dozens of protected areas, natural parks and watershed reserves, photos of massive denuded portions of Sierra Madre stripped of its green canopy and scarred by excavations have made rounds in 1 "Sierra Madre losing 9,000 hectares of forest cover each year — Haribon." November 12, 2025. Accessed through https://www.philstar.com/headlines/climate-and-environment/2025/11/12/2486728/sierra-madre- losing-9000-hectares-forest-cover-each-vear-haribon

online platforms, signifying its alarming state and the need for urgent intervention and comprehensive action. This measure seeks to strengthen the conservation and protection of Sierra Madre, an important ecosystem that serves as the habitat and the source of life for many. This bill aims to unify and oversee all efforts under a singular body towards safeguarding the majesty and vitality of the Sierra Madre mountain range. In view of its utmost importance in the country's climate resilience and ecological balance, and in the hopes of rehabilitating the natural fortress and backbone of Luzon and reversing the damages brought about by human activities, the passage of this legislation is earnestly sought. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA

Senate Office of the Beretary TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) JAN 26 P1:41 First Regular Session RECEIVED BY: SENATE S. No. 1687 Introduced by Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE SIERRA MADRE CONSERVATION AUTHORITY TO STRENGTHEN THE CONSERVATION AND PROTECTION OF THE SIERRA MADRE MOUNTAIN RANGE, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Sierra Madre

2 Conservation and Protection Act."

Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to

protect and conserve the Sierra Madre Mountain Range in the island of Luzon, 5 recognized as the longest mountain chain in the Philippines spanning approximately 540 kilometers, serving as a natural barrier that weakens typhoons, mitigates flooding 7 and landslides, supports biodiversity hotspots, and provides water sources, and 8 climate resilience for millions of Filipinos. The State acknowledges the severe threats facing the Sierra Madre, including aggressive deforestation, illegal logging, mining activities, and destructive infrastructure projects. Furthermore, the State commits to safeguarding the ancestral domains of indigenous peoples. To this end, the State shall establish mechanisms to halt environmental degradation, enforce strict prohibitions on destructive activities, and promote sustainable conservation efforts.

Sec. 3. Creation of the Sierra Madre Conservation Authority. - There is hereby

created the Sierra Madre Conservation Authority (SMCA), hereinafter referred to as

1 the Authority, which shall be attached to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for policy and program coordination. The Authority shall be the primary government agency responsible for the conservation, protection, rehabilitation, and sustainable management of the Sierra Madre Mountain Range.

Sec. 4. Powers and Functions of the Authority. - The Authority shall have the

following powers and functions: a) Formulate and implement a comprehensive master plan specifying 3-year, 5-year, and 10-year roadmap for the conservation and protection of the Sierra Madre, including reforestation programs, biodiversity monitoring, and watershed rehabilitation; b) Enforce prohibitions on mining, logging, quarrying, and other environmentally destructive activities within the Sierra Madre and its buffer zones; c) Study the possible implementation of moratorium on logging, development and mining activities, including the suspension or revocation of existing permits, to allow for the recovery and rehabilitation of Sierra Madre; d) Establish satellite offices in the Sierra Madre mountain range which shall be responsible for the enforcement of policies and compliance monitoring; e) Coordinate with relevant agencies to conduct regular patrols, surveillance, and enforcement of actions against illegal activities; f) Promote community-based conservation initiatives involving indigenous peoples and local communities; g) Conduct research studies and assessment on the environmental health of the Sierra Madre, including the impacts of climate change and human activities; h) Secure funding from national and international sources for conservation projects; i) Recommend the declaration of protected areas under Republic Act No. 7586 (National Integrated Protected Areas System Act of 1992), as amended; and j) Perform such other functions as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act.

Sec. 5. Composition of the Authority. - The Authority shall be composed of the

Board of Directors and the Secretariat.

Sec. 6. Board of Directors. - The Board of Directors shall be composed of the

following: a) Chairperson: Secretary of the Environment and Natural Resources b) Members: 1) Chairperson of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP); 2) Vice Chairperson and Executive Director of the Climate Change Commission (CCC); 3) a Provincial Governor representing the provinces comprising the Sierra Madre Region, who shall be designated and elected by the ten (10) provincial governors; and 4) a City or Municipal mayor representing the cities and municipalities comprising the Sierra Madre Region, who shall be designated and elected by the respective mayors. In addition, the President of the Philippines shall appoint the following members from the private sector who shall serve for a term of two (2) years: three (3) representatives from the academe or non-government organizations (NGO) with 19 known expertise, educational background, and experience on environment conservation, protection and rehabilitation. The Board shall meet at least once every quarter, or as frequently as deemed necessary by its Chairperson.

Sec. 7. Secretariat. - The Secretariat shall be headed by an Executive Director,

who shall be responsible for the supervision of operations and internal administration of the Authority, execute and administer the policies and programs approved by the Board, and submit regular reports and recommendations for consideration of the Board.

Sec. 8. Protection of Ancestral Domains. - The Authority shall ensure the full

participation of indigenous peoples in all conservation activities and respect their rights to free, prior and informed consent for any projects affecting their ancestral domains. Any violation of indigenous peoples' rights shall be grounds for the immediate cessation of activities and imposition of penalties.

Sec. 9. Funding. - The amount necessary for the initial implementation of this

2 Act shall be charged against the current year's appropriations of the DENR. Thereafter, 3 such sums as may be necessary for the continued implementation shall be included in 4 the annual General Appropriations Act. The Authority may also accept donations, 5 grants, and contributions from local and international sources.

Sec. 10. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety (90) days from

7 the effectivity of this Act, the DENR, in consultation with the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), Climate Change Commission (CCC), and other 9 stakeholders, shall promulgate the necessary implementing rules and regulations for 10 the effective implementation of this Act.

Sec. 11. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared

unconstitutional, the remainder thereof not otherwise affected shall remain in full force and effect.

Sec. 12. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders,

letters of instruction, proclamations or administrative orders, rules and regulations that are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

Sec. 13. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following

19 its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. Approved,