Mangroves are both an asset and a responsibility for us in the ASEAN region. Mangroves are very important to marine life, serving as sanctuaries and feeding grounds to commercially and non-commercially important species. They play a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance by stabilizing and minimizing sedimentation and siltation in coral reefs, while facilitating land expansion through the accumulation of soil and debris. Mangroves also function as frontline protectors against ongoing climate crisis and the extreme weather events.
But now, almost half of the country’s remaining mangroves were lost over the past years that it is no longer enough to provide protection against typhoons. Mangroves are on the brink of annihilation. We’re racing against time to come up with a strategic restoration program. One that is conducive for the regeneration of mangrove forests that can withstand and recover from storms and the effects of climate change.
The texts above are quoted from “THINK ON THESE: Save our vanishing mangroves” by Henrilito Tacio. Published a day after this year’s International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystems (July 26, 2025).
02 January 2025
Mangroves or bakawan are mainly recognized for their coastal protection abilities against storms and typhoons. But the unique mangrove ecosystem plays more roles in our fight against climate change, including serving as carbon sinks and breeding grounds for various marine and wild life. This brief documentary delves into how effective community-based mangrove conservation turned the previously hailed ‘illegal mangrove cutting capital of the Philippines’ into a Ramsar Site of International Importance. It also highlights the importance of mangroves in biodiversity conservation and climate change adaptation and mitigation.
Watch the documentary here: Dating “illegal mangrove cutting capital ng Pilipinas” modelo ng conservation ngayon | Need To Know
24 October 2024
Mangroves protect our lives, livelihood, and properties from the damaging effects of typhoons. Mangrove’s ability as an effective coastal barrier was tested when super typhoon Yolanda hit the Philippines in November 2013. Although mangroves can generally protect coastal communities, their protective role is not as straightforward. Its strength as a bio-shield depends on the types of mangroves, length/extent, and structural complexity of the forest present. Aside from protecting the coasts, mangroves also function as fish nurseries and carbon sinks. They also serve as livelihood sources for coastal communities.
How vital it is then to protect nature’s natural protection against typhoons! Many studies aimed to conserve and protect mangroves are now being initiated. One is the collaborative project of Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) and DOST’s Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD) in Ilocos Norte to mitigate the coastal risks in vulnerable areas of the province.
To read more details about mangroves’ special ecosystem roles and functions and on the MMSU-PCAARD project, please check out this article: THINK ON THESE: Mangroves as part of coastal protection from EDGE Davao
17 April 2024, DENR to assess abandoned fishponds for mangrove restoration (from Philstar.com)
9 April 2024, Salt or Mangroves? Gov’t to evaluate ‘beneficial use’ of abandoned fish ponds (from Rappler, https://www.rappler.com/philippines/govt-evaluate-beneficial-use-abandoned-fish-ponds/?fbclid=IwAR1hsPGsPJsUsW6pfp9CU2msSvqXS6r2dxlHmkDk4nm5UdiepqPfpElG8OQ_aem_AVsn2KoTATdTvxNV1V3wQNK3rQlQj87WjUJL9kklIqVIEeI3PAS78EQ1WrzaU4KMItiQfuW8Sa-P86tXyrK2__6X)
5 March 2024, Converting ponds to salt farms threatens mangrove restoration, conservationists warn (from Philstar.com, https://www.philstar.com/headlines/climate-and-environment/2024/03/05/2338237/converting-ponds-salt-farms-threatens-mangrove-restoration-conservationists-warn)
24 February 2024, Oceana: Turn AUU fishponds to mangroves (from Manila Times, https://www.manilatimes.net/2024/02/24/business/green-industries/oceana-turn-auu-fishponds-to-mangroves/1933811)
6 February 2021, With higher stakes, PH commits higher climate ambition (from Daily Guardian, https://dailyguardian.com.ph/with-higher-stakes-ph-commits-higher-climate-ambition/)
5 February 2021, With higher stakes, PH commits higher climate ambition, https://climate.gov.ph/news/424
4 February 2021, from https://www.goodnewspilipinas.com/pampangas-sasmuan-wetland-is-new-ramsar-site-of-international-importance/
30 January 2021, Where are we now in the Philippine NDC?, https://www.manilatimes.net/2021/01/30/business/green-business/where-are-we-now-in-the-philippine-ndc/834926/
28 January 2021, from https://www.rappler.com/environment/aerotropolis-airport-heightens-disaster-risks-communities-bulacan
23 January 2021, Oxfam lauds house resolution urging gov’t submission of highest possible climate ambition, http://Oxfam lauds house resolution urging gov’t submission of highest possible climate ambition
11 December 2020, from https://www.oneearth.org/sowing-seeds-of-inspiration-in-the-philippines-with-mangrove-reforestation/
25 August 2018, from rappler.com,
Mangrove Ecology 