FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC)
OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

House Bill No. 852

Introduced by: ATTY. MA. THERESA B, BONOAN-DAVID
4" District, City of Manila

EXPLANATORY NOTE

‘The Sierra Madre is a mountain range in the Philippines. It is the longest in the
country and runs the eastern length of Luzon island. It starts in the province of Cagayan
in the north and ends in Quezon in the south, just east of Laguna de Bay. It tails to the
‘west as it reaches the province of Nueva Vizeaya to form the Caraballo Mountains, with
which it sticks with the Cordillera Mountain range.

Sierra Madre is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna essential in the
maintenance of ecosystems. This mountain range provides materials and produce for the
livelihood of countless people living near it. _ Its windward side provides protection to
lives and properties during typhoons and tropical depression coming from the Pacific
Ocean.

At present, the Sierra Madre is threatened by continuous degradation due to
illegal logging and “kaingin”. These practices contribute largely to soil erosion and
deterioration of the remaining thick forests within the whole stretch of Sierra Madre

In conclusion, there is a need to highlight the importance of preserving and
protecting Sierra Madre involving both government and people’s organizations shown
through concerted efforts of both parties.

It is with this view that immediate approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

ATTY. MA. -RESA BONOAN-DAVID
4" District, City of Manila


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC)
OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

House Bill No. 8021

Introduced by: ATTY. MA. THERESA B. BONOAN-DAVID
District, City of Manila

AN ACT DECLARING SEPTEMBER 26 OF EVERY YEAR AS “SAVE SIERRA.
MADRE DAY” AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES:

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Republic of
the Philippines in Congress assembled:

Section 1. This Act shall be known as the “Save Sierra Madre Day Act”.

Section 2. It is hereby declared that September 26 of every year as “Save Sierra Madre
Day”, which shall be the culmination of year long activities geared toward the protection
and preservation of Sierra Madre.

Section 3. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), in
coordination with the concerned local government units and people’s organizations, shall
formulate and implement information-education campaign activities within their
respective areas of jurisdiction with the end goal of protecting and preserving Sierra
Madre. Such activities shall include, but not be limited to, (1) the conduct of seminars
and training sound ecological forest management, (2) organizing of advocates, and (3)
tree planting and reforestation.

Section 4. If for any reason, any portion or provision of this Act shall be declared
unconstitutional, other parts or provisions hereof which are not affected thereby shall
continue to be in force and effect.

Section 5. All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations or parts thereof inconsistent
with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

Section 6. This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days followi
the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

its publication in

Approved.