The newly launched Protect Sierra Madre Movement, a non-political advocacy aimed at raising awareness on the urgent need to safeguard the country’s longest mountain range, has received a significant boost from prominent figures and groups in Philippine sports.
Several National Sports Associations (NSAs)—including swimming, sambo, triathlon, netball, dance sports, and sepak takraw—have formally expressed their support for the movement. Sports personalities such as Mike Keon, Anthony Suntay, national athlete Katrina Salazar, MMA fighter Jomari Torres, sambo standout Sydney Sy, Alex Wang of Wang’s Ballclub, and sportsman Angelo Lozada have likewise pledged their commitment to the cause.
According to veteran sportswriter and mountain advocate Lito Cinco, who spearheaded the initiative, the Protect Sierra Madre Movement has begun an online and on-ground signature campaign urging the public to oppose illegal logging, mining, quarrying, and unsustainable mountainside real estate development.
“We have seen what happened in Cebu during Typhoon Tino—the devastation and the loss of lives,” Cinco said. “For us in Luzon, we were fortunate that the Sierra Madre mountain range helped protect us. Now it is our turn to protect the Sierra Madre.”
During the group’s initial meeting, Mandaluyong City Administrator Ting Victorino, Rachel Fletcher, president of the RCAC Rotary Club of Antipolo, and several of Cinco’s former high school journalism protégés were present, each expressing full support for the movement’s long-term mission.
As part of its early initiatives, the group is organizing a symbolic tree-planting activity scheduled for early next year at Mt. Banahaw in Dolores, Quezon.
