Scientists and environmental groups, including Mamamayang Liberal Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima has called on the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to suspend the earth-balling and relocation of mangroves. The call was a response to the October 2025 DENR memorandum, allowing earth-balling under exceptional circumstances, including certain flagship infrastructure projects. De Lima raised the issue during deliberations on the DENR’s proposed 2027 budget.
Consistent calls to repeal the DENR Guidelines have been made since its issuance, yet no concrete action has been taken to re-evaluate the policy. Mangroves thrive on specific and unique environmental conditions. Therefore, survival of mangroves after relocation is not guaranteed. There are already few remaining mangrove forests in the country, and these are continually subjected to multiple disturbances. This policy puts even more pressure on these already threatened ecosystems.
De Lima filed House Resolution No. 1206 which sought an inquiry into the DENR memorandum and its scientific and legal basis. The resolution also questions whether the policy is consistent with the Philippines’ existing commitments to mangrove conservation, particularly given the country’s prominent role in international efforts to protect and restore mangrove ecosystems.
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Mangrove Ecology 