adbackhome or ad casino Leading advocate for Sierra Madre’s protection dies

LUCENA CITY, QUEZON, Philippines — Fr. Pedro “Pete” Montallana, a Franciscan priest and tireless advocate for the protection of the Sierra Madre mountain ranges, passed away on Monday, at the age of 75.

Prelature of Infanta Bishop Bernardino Cortez made the announcement through a post on Facebook.

Comments from top Federal Reserve officials suggesting they would like to see a slower pace of rate cuts tempered hopes for another bumper cut at the bank’s next meeting, while Middle East worries pushed gold to a new record.

“Fr. Pete joined the Father on 27 January 2025 due to health complications,” Cortez shared, though no further details about his condition were disclosed.

Article continues after this advertisement

Cortez described Montallana as someone who “lived his life dedicated to the Charism of St. Francis, serving the indigenous people (IP) of the Prelature since 1993,” officially becoming part of the prelature in 2022.

FEATURED STORIES NEWSINFO PNP exec involved in mishandling P6.7-B drug case now out of PH NEWSINFO Cassandra Ong's lawyer files ethics rap vs Rep. Fernandez NEWSINFO FDA flags vlogger Rosmar Tan over 'unauthorized' beauty products

Until his passing, he served as the parish administrator of the Prelature Shrine of St. Joseph in Polillo Island, Quezon.

Montallana’s remains lie at the Santo Niño Chapel at St. Mark Cathedral in Infanta, Quezon.

Article continues after this advertisement

He was best known for his leadership as president of the Save Sierra Madre Network Alliance (SSMNA), a group that staunchly opposed the controversial Kaliwa Dam project at the Sierra Madre, which is supported by the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System and funded by a P12.2-billion Chinese loan to address the dwindling water supply in Metro Manila and surrounding areas.

Article continues after this advertisement

READ: ‘False consent,’ priest says of Kaliwa Dam OK

Article continues after this advertisement

It involves the construction of a 60-meter-high concrete gravity dam on Kaliwa River, creating a reservoir spanning 291 hectares.

It has been met with opposition amid a SSMNA study showing the dam will submerge the mountain village of Pagsangahan in General Nakar, Quezon; flood 9,700 ha of watershed; and displace 1,465 families.

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again. Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

SIGN ME UP

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.adbackhome or ad casino

READ NEXT DOJ asked to file murder raps vs ex-Leyte solon Senate OKs bill granting free legal assistance for MUP personnel EDITORS' PICK Senate OKs bill granting PH citizenship to Chinese linked to Pogo PNP exec involved in mishandling P6.7-B drug case now out of PH Badian police probes death of bible school student DepEd thinks CSE directive is innocent, Romulo says it’s contradicting Zambales university apologizes for CJ Opiaza photo gaffe Fire-ravaged areas in LA County under flood watch MOST READ Lack of slots makes entry into ‘Pisay’ tougher Famous Chinese streamer shocks fans with real look at awards show Senate OKs bill granting PH citizenship to Chinese linked to Pogo BOC intercepts undeclared foreign currency worth Php 24.20M Follow @FMangosingINQ on Twitter --> View comments