Home News Open Letter to the President and the Commission on Appointments

Open Letter to the President and the Commission on Appointments

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Dear Mr. President Rodrigo Duterte, Senator Aquilino Pimentel- Chairman , Senator Manny Pacquiao- Commission on Environment, and the members of the Commission on Appointments:

May the Powerful One from above embrace you!

Save Sierra Madre Network Alliance Inc. (SSMNAI), a network alliance of more than 70 groups involved with environmental issues, has been able to advocate with Sec. Gina Lopez for the care of Sierra Madre and for its protection from those who see the Sierra Madre simply as an object to be abused or be an opportunity   to amass wealth. Under the leadership of Sec. Gina Lopez, the DENR started to regain its trust from Non-Government Organizations, Peoples’ Organizations, indigenous peoples and from other Civil Society Organizations. In Regions 2, 3, 4A, these organizations together with the DENR have resolved to work together to restore Sierra Madre’s forest cover and protect biodiversity from further destruction due to deforestation, mining, construction of roads and dams.

This principled cooperation between the DENR and CSOs does not sacrifice the intent of the Duterte administration to fight corruption in government agencies including DENR.

We thank the President for making the right decision to appoint Sec. Gina Lopez as DENR secretary. We humbly plead the Commission on Appointments to make the courageous and prophetic stand to confirm her appointment. A new way of relating with the natural world is breaking in, the paradigm of interconnectedness as lived by the Indigenous Communities in Sierra Madre. Such a new paradigm of caring for the natural world, is happening not only in the Sierra Madre but all over the country. This is evident in Sec. Lopez’s commitment to conserve, protect and rehabilitate the environment.

We are aware of the effect of Sec. Lopez’s appointment to the DENR. Opposition from very powerful business corporations with vested interests – foreign and local – is very strong. We implore you to stand firmly for the weak: to ensure the flourishing of life, as enshrined in our Constitution, for the indigenous people, the farmers, the fisherfolks and the millions of poor people who have been  deprived of the bountiful benefits from our natural resources. God intended fullness of life for everybody, not deprivations and death for the majority of the Filipinos.

Now is the time to reverse the situation. As committed public servants please make the historic decision to ensure a balance and healthy ecology for the Filipino people for all generations to come. May the power of Truth and a strong sense of Justice descend upon you!

Sincerely for Save Sierra Madre Network Alliance Inc.:

Fr. Pete Montallana
Chairperson-SSMNAI Feb. 13, 2017 ; Tel : 912-0224; Email add: savesierram@gmail.com;
Website: www.savesierramadre.ph. Cp no: 0920-968-4982.

List of Organizations Networking with Save Sierra Madre Network Alliance Inc.

  1. FAMAC – Federation of Anti-Mining Advocates of Cagayan: Fr. Manny Catral
  2. OFM-JPIC – Order of Friars Minor Justice and Peace and Integrity of Creation: Bro. Al Villanueva
  3. Ecology Ministry – Diocese of Kaloocan: Fr. Tavs
  4. JPIC – Diocese of Novaliches: Carlos Gubat
  5. TFSM-Dingalan – Task Force Sierra Madre Dingalan Chapter: Jojo Padua
  6. Social Action Center – Diocese of Novaliches: Fr.Bien Miguel
  7. SSMESI – Sagip Sierra Madre :Bro. Martin Francisco
  8. ECIP- National Secretariate – Episcopal Commission on Indigenous People: Tony Abuso
  9. TFSMBE- Task Force Sierra Madre for Balanced Ecology: Fr. Mario Establecida
  10. TFSM-Infanta- Task Force Sierra Madre Infanta: Poleng Derilo
  11. TFSM-General Nakar- Task Force Sierra Madre General Nakar: Juliet Nolledo
  12. FDC – Freedom from Debt Coalition: Rovic
  13. FMM-JPIC-Franciscan Missionaries of Mary Justice and Peace and Integrity of Creation- Sr. Glo Miguel, FMM
  14. MSAG-BALER-: Jerry Fabro
  15. SAC-ILAGAN-Social Action Center-Ilagan: Fr. Carl Sarte
  16. SAC-Tuguegarao- Social Action of Tuguegarao: Fr.Manny Catral
  17. JPIC-AMRSP-Justice and Peace and Integrity of Creation Association of Major Religious Superiors of the Philippines: Sr. Cres Lucero,SFIC
  18. Ministry on Ecology San Jose Diocese, Nueva Ecija: Fr. Ernie Pesimo
  19. SAC-AURORA- Social Action Center of Aurora: Fr. Israel Gabriel
  20. SAC-INFANTA-Social Action Center of Infanta: Fr. Olet Avenilla
  21. HARIBON FOUNDATION: Betchie de la Paz
  22. ECOWASTE COALITION:
  23. GREEN CONVERGENCE: Dra. Nina Galang
  24. TANGGOL KALIKASAN: Atty.Genee Mislang
  25. PAKISAMA-Pambansang Samahang Magsasaka: Boy Ridao
  26. ARCAM-Archdiocese of Manila Ecology Ministry: Lou Arsenio
  27. SAC-GUMACA-Social Action Center Gumaca Diocese: Fr. Tony Aguilar
  28. GREEN RESEARCH:Gwen Patria Borcena
  29. MASIDAMA: Matatambo-Singawan-Dadyangao-Madaraque: Gemma Ritual
  30. PI-COPI: Prelature of Infanta-Community Organization of the Philippines: Conrad Vargas
  31. SAGIBIN-LN- Samahan ngmga Katutubong Agta/Dumagat/Remontado na Nagtatanggol ng Lupaing Ninuno: Marcelino Tena
  32. TCD-Tribal Center for Development, Inc: Conchita Conchada
  33. ALG-Alternative Law Group: Atty. Marlon Manuel
  34. KOMUNIDAD NG KATUTUBO NG SITIO SARI, BRGY. LUMUTAN, GENERAL NAKAR- Ariel Doroteo
  35. KOMUNIDAD NG MGA KATUTUBO NG SITIO BAYKURAN, BRGY. PAGSANGAHAN, GENERAL NAKAR: Kambusa Piston
  36. GENCACODA; General Nakar: Joel Astoveza
  37. KOMUNIDAD NG MGA KATUTUBO NG MASANGA, Brgy. Maligaya, General Nakar: Jimmy Roldan
  38. KOMUNIDAD NG MGA KATUTUBO NG SITIIO MAKTANG, BRGY. UMIRAY, GENERAL NAKAR: Waly Nakar
  39. PRRM-Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement: Merly Calubaguib
  40. ISABELA PERMA-CULTURE DEVELOPMENT CENTER: Olga Marquez
  41. FELLOWSHOP FOR THE CARE FOR CREATION: Mylene Saluta
  42. ALYANSA TIGIL MINA: Jv Gargarena
  43. UMA- Ungabay et Mabunat Association: Leany Balnes
  44. IPA-GUMACA: Indigenous Peoples’ Apostolate Coordinator: Fr. Rey Baldovino
  45. IPA-San Jose: Indigenous Peoples’ Apostolate Coordinator: Sr. Aning Janrique
  46. IPA-Infanta: Indigenous Peoples’ Apostolate Coordinator: Fr. Pete Montallana
  47. CCCP-Climate Change Congress of the Philippines: Dr. Steve Godilano
  48. SSMPIMI- Save Sierra Madre Save the People, Laguna : Lutgarda Samela
  49. TEBTEBBA: Jennifer Thauli Corpuz
  50. SOLAR SOLUTIONS: Frederick Laping
  51. FOCUS: Mary Ann Manahan
  52. GUPAD: Merlita Tena
  53. FAS-Franciscan Apostolic Sisters: Sr. Minnie ,FAS
  54. KOMUNIDAD NG MGA KATUTUBO NG PALAUI
  55. KALIPAYA MINISTRY:Albert Saldajeno
  56. Secular Franciscans of Frisco, QC – Al Licas
  57. SAC-Lucena: Fr. Ruzzle John
  58. AKSYON KLIMA: Gene Ferrer
  59. JPIC of the COLUMBAN MISSIONARIES OF THE PHILIPPINES: John Din
  60. MIRIAM PEACE
  61. BATARIS-Baler
  62. SAC-Cabanatuan
  63. Paco Catholic School
  64. MAPSA- Manila Archdiocesan and Parochial Schools Association: Fr. Boy Bilran
  65. Sakbibi- Javar Tullo
  66. PIGLAS-Ka: Vic
  67. Philippine Tropical Forest Conservation Foundation: Majorie Pamplona
  68. AKAP INC- Remy Gutierrez
  69. Nativity of the Lord Parish, Cubao, QC
  70. CAVAPPED- Perla Visarro
  71. Nuestra Senora de Salvacion Parish, Bianoan, Casiguran, Aurora: Fr. Joefran Talaban

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