MANILA, Sept. 18, 2013—Environmentalists will commemorate ‘Save Sierra Madre Day’ on September 26 highlighted by protest against mega dams that are the current priority of the Aquino administration.
“We will have a petition signing against these mega-dams and a ‘DAMN the DAMS’ booth will be set-up at the venue of the event. Our particular call for this is Save Sierra Madre…Save Millions of Lives! No to Public-Private Partnership! No to Centennial Dams! Damn the construction of any Mega-Dam!,” said Save Sierra Madre Network Alliance Inc. (SSMNA) chairperson Elizabeth Carranza.
According to Carranza, this year’s celebration, which will be held at the Quezon Memorial Circle, will focus on the environmental degradation that is bound to happen because of the centennial dams.
The New Centennial Water Supply Source Project is one of the key programs of the present administration under its Public-Private Partnership Program (PPPP).
The organizers also hope to raise greater awareness about the effects of rampant logging, mining and other destructive activities within Sierra Madre, as well as to reinforce the urgency to rehabilitate the mountain ranges among groups and communities involved in the care and protection of the Sierra Madre.
“May the event become a challenge to each one of us whose common call is to touch Mother Earth with love and protect Her natural resources. And may our loving Creator grant all of us hearts and hands that will truly care for Sierra Madre and our Beloved Mother Earth,” Carranza said.
Metro Manila area residents, who are beneficiaries of the resources of Sierra Madre and victims of tragedies related to its degradation are expected to be at the event, along with other parish and diocesan ecology ministries and other environmental groups.
September 26 has been declared by President Benigno Aquino as ‘Sierra Madre Day’ through Presidential Proclamation no. 413, upon the request of SSMNA. (Jandel Posion)