Kapamilya star Anne Curtis expressed deep concern online after seeing aerial images of the Sierra Madre mountain range in Dinapigue, Isabela, which showed visible signs of deforestation.
The actress reposted a viral post on X (formerly Twitter) that displayed the mountain range’s bare patches. The post questioned how a 25-year mining contract was approved in a protected area known as a natural barrier against typhoons in Luzon.
“Good morning! Is this real? Can anyone confirm this? This [is] quite concerning,” Anne wrote, adding, “I remember people saying #SierraMadre played a huge role in breaking typhoons’ strength before it hit the cities. I truly hope this isn’t real!!!!”
Other X users confirmed the photos were legitimate and that the issue had been previously reported by credible news outlets. The aerial view of Sierra Madre first circulated through Google Maps imagery, showing cleared sections of the forest in Dinapigue.
Actor Jake Ejercito also weighed in on the issue, saying, “The Sierra Madre shields us from typhoons and we return the favor by cutting down its forests for profit.”
Reports link the deforestation to the operations of Dinapigue Mining Corporation, which holds a 25-year mining agreement in the province. The project has raised serious concerns among environmental advocates and netizens who fear the long-term impact on natural disaster mitigation and biodiversity.
Sierra Madre is often credited for softening the blow of powerful storms before they reach populated areas in Luzon, serving as the country’s natural shield.