NUEVA ECIJA, Philippines — The Central Luzon Media Association (CLMA) and Central Luzon Media – Citizen Council is set to launch an advocacy campaign titled “Saving Sierra Madre” through a photography contest and exhibit aimed at raising awareness about the ecological importance of the Sierra Madre Mountain Range.
The contest, scheduled for August 2025, is open to photography enthusiasts who wish to showcase the beauty and significance of the country’s longest mountain range. The campaign will formally begin in March during CLMA’s regional meeting in Bongabon, Nueva Ecija, known as the “Gateway to the Sierra Madre.”
“We want CLMA to take the lead in advocating for the preservation of the Sierra Madre,” said Deng Pangilinan, president of CLMA. “This mountain range has shielded us from the worst typhoons for centuries. It’s time we do our part in protecting it.”
Stretching over 540 kilometers from Cagayan to Quezon, the Sierra Madre serves as a natural barrier against powerful storms that frequently batter Luzon. Scientists have long credited the range for weakening typhoons before they make landfall, reducing damage to communities in Central and Northern Luzon.
Despite its crucial role, the Sierra Madre faces mounting threats from deforestation, illegal logging, and infrastructure projects. Environmentalists warn that continued destruction could diminish the mountain’s ability to protect millions of residents from climate disasters.
As part of its advocacy, CLMA and CLMA Media Citizens Council will conduct awareness and campus tours in schools across Central Luzon, engaging students and communities in discussions about conservation. The group also plans to collaborate with CLMA Provincial Chapters in Tarlac, Pampanga, Bataan, Zambales, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, and Aurora ,NGOs and private companies to integrate environmental protection into their corporate social responsibility programs.
The photography exhibit will showcase the winning entries, highlighting the Sierra Madre’s landscapes, biodiversity, and the indigenous communities that depend on its resources. Organizers hope the images will inspire policymakers and the public to take action in preserving the mountain range.
The contest aims to not only celebrate the Sierra Madre’s natural beauty but also serve as a call to action. “Our photos should tell a story—one that reminds people why this mountain range is worth saving,” Pangilinan said.
With climate change intensifying typhoons and environmental destruction accelerating, advocates stress that protecting the Sierra Madre is not just about conservation—it is about survival.