The Sierra Madre, Cordillera, and Caraballo Mountains are once again being pushed to be protected by Filipinos due to the impact of Super Typhoon Uwan. Many believe that these mountains are Luzon's natural defense against strong typhoons.
Uwan (international name Fung Wong) is currently hitting eastern Luzon. Many areas are under Signal No. 5 while Metro Manila is under Signal No. 3. The typhoon covers almost the entire Luzon, approximately 1,500 kilometers in width.
Sierra Madre is 540 kilometers long from Cagayan to Quezon. The mountain helps slow down and channel the wind before it reaches the mountains and interior of the country. In addition, it also serves as a “carbon sink” that absorbs carbon dioxide and helps the climate and environment.
The Cordillera Range is 320 kilometers long and covers all the provinces of the Cordillera Administrative Region and some parts of Ilocos and Pangasinan. The Caraballo Mountains are 54 kilometers long and lie between the Cordillera and the Sierra Madre.
Bagaman may ibang nagsasabing proteksyon ang Sierra Madre, ayon sa mga eksperto, ang bundok ay nakababawas ng lakas ng bagyo pagkatapos nitong dumaan sa silangang Luzon. Mahalaga pa rin ang pangangalaga sa mga bundok laban sa illegal logging at pagmimina upang mapanatili ang seguridad at kalikasan.
