MAJOR milestones in mangrove conservation were launched at the inaugural Philippine Mangrove Conference, while stakeholders emphasized that strong community engagement and local government leadership will be critical to turning these initiatives into a lasting impact. The event, held on March 24-26, was organized by the Global Mangrove Alliance, and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Biodiversity Management Bureau.
“Protecting mangroves has become a development priority for a country as vulnerable to climate impacts as the Philippines,” said Dr. Annadel Cabanban, country manager of Wetlands International Philippines. “Aligning interventions across government, communities, scientific institutions and the private sector with the country’s climate commitments is essential to restore these ecosystems at scale.”
Julie Bedrio, provincial environment management officer, Negros Occidental, showcased her province’s integrated approach to coastal conservation. The province has 32 local government units (LGUs), 25 of which are coastal.
In 1987, mangrove forest cover was estimated at only 507 hectares. In 2005, this had expanded to 4,996 hectares. By 2018, the figure increased to 5,123 hectares — an additional 126.58 hectares. According to Bedrio, this represents a “nearly ninefold expansion, largely attributed to the joint efforts of stakeholders through mangrove rehabilitation programs, improved coastal governance and natural regeneration processes.” Negros Occidental is home to the Negros Occidental Coastal Wetlands Conservation Area, the 7th Ramsar site out of 10 in the Philippines. A Ramsar site is designated as a Wetland of International Importance under the Convention on Wetlands.
The provincial government employs a combination of Integrated Ecosystems Management and nature-based solutions, supported by collaborative governance with strong policy frameworks and strategic partnerships. These efforts are anchored on the Negros Occidental Environment Code, the Provincial Natural Resources Management Framework, and the Environmental Awards and Incentives Program to conserve its coastal wetlands and marine ecosystems.
“Conservation works best when policies are strong and benefits are shared,” Bedrio said. “We asked what if municipalities worked together instead of separately?” This led to the creation of eight Inter-LGU alliances, which, since 1996, have shared resources, unified strategies and strengthened reinforcement.
One of the province’s flagship programs is the establishment of 57 Local Conservation Areas that form ecological corridors. A provincial ordinance formalized the initiative, declaring this network as the Provincial Network of Coastal Greenbelt Zones and Wetlands Conservation Areas in the province.
At the community level, women are leading mangrove protection efforts.
Female leadership
In Coron, Palawan, the Shalom Women’s Biodiversity Conservation Association began a mangrove nursery in 2021 to rehabilitate a mangrove area in their community that had been devastated by illegal cutting, group president Imelda Mazo said. Their efforts earned recognition at the provincial level.
The group won grants that enabled them to build an elevated monitoring station for the mangroves, acquire a patrol boat and support the ongoing projects for IEC (information, education and communication) campaigns, ecotourism and livelihood materials. Members have undergone training for baseline assessment of mangroves, first aid, basic life support and eco-guiding.
Composed entirely of women from three sitios — some of whom are Cuyonin and Tagbanua — the group protects 74.8 hectares covering the entire mangrove area of the Balisungan Marine Protected Area. The women of Shalom were named the Best Mangrove Award Champion in the 2025 Para El Mar, which honors innovation and excellence in marine conservation.
In Siaton, Negros Oriental, another women-led group, Siit-Palinpinon Mangrove Conservation Walk Association has been safeguarding their mangrove forest for almost 40 years. It manages an ecopark featuring a 500-meter bamboo boardwalk that weaves through a 6-hectare mangrove forest, home to 32 species of mangroves. The ecopark offers visitors kayaking, bamboo rafting and binocular rental.
According to its president Evelyn Bucad, they are constantly dealing with the impact of shipping vessels plying the waters of Tambobo Bay. “Mayroon kaming oil spills lagi dito dahil sa mga fishing boats. Maraming sirang bangka at yate sa Tambobo Bay at Tambobo Port,” she said. Their group has reported the situation to the authorities, but is still awaiting action, she said.
The conference closed with six sectors pledging concrete, time-bound targets for 2028. People’s Organizations pledged to restore and protect local mangrove areas through sustainable livelihoods like ecotourism, nursery production, beekeeping and fish processing. The local government sector is committed to expanding the coastal greenbelt ordinances and embedding blue carbon governance into local resource management cohorts.
ZSL Philippines Country Director Edwina Garchitorena said, “This road map and these commitments are the beginning. The tools we have built together must now reach the communities and local governments who manage these resources.”