Restoration of Mangrove Areas:More than Just a Greening Initiative

RESTORATION OF MANGROVE AREAS: MORE THAN JUST A GREENING INITIATIVE How serious are we about restoring our former mangrove areas? That is a question that deserves an honest and urgent discussion. We often talk about reforestation in upland areas, but what about the coastal ecosystems that protect our shorelines, support marine life, and sustain local livelihoods? Mangroves: A Forgotten Priority? When we speak of restoring mangroves, we must also consider former swamplands that have been converted into farmlands and fishponds. While some of these lands remain commercially productive and should continue to be used for their current purpose, vacant spaces within these areas should be repurposed for mangrove reforestation. This is a practical and balanced approach that considers both environmental and economic interests. Additionally, many rivers near the sea contain brackish water, making them suitable for mangrove planting along easement areas. Legally, easement areas remain public lands, though there have been many cases where such lands have been titled as private property. A reasonable compromise would be to require landowners or developers to plant mangroves in the vacant riverbank spaces within their vicinity. This ensures that the environmental benefits of mangroves are maintained while respecting property rights. Time’s Up for Undeveloped Concessions A critical policy change that should be considered is a statute of limitations for farmland and fishpond concessions in former swamplands. If concessionaires fail to develop these areas within a given period, the government should revoke their concessions and reclassify these lands for mangrove restoration. Measuring Progress: Where Are the Mangroves? Mangrove restoration is already part of the National Greening Program (NGP), but how many mangrove trees have actually been planted? The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) should be transparent and provide specific data on mangrove reforestation efforts. We often hear ambitious tree-planting targets, but how many of those trees actually survive? Involving Indigenous Tribal Peoples (ITPs) Restoring mangroves is not just about planting trees—it’s about empowering communities. Indigenous Tribal Peoples (ITPs), who have long lived in swamplands and coastal areas, should be given financial and technical grants to actively participate in the NGP. They have traditional knowledge of these ecosystems, and with proper support, they can become effective stewards of mangrove forests. Mangroves and Fisheries: A Perfect Partnership One of the best ways to promote mangrove restoration is to emphasize its economic benefits. Did you know that fishponds and mangrove forests can co-exist and even complement each other? Mangroves provide nursery grounds for fish and crustaceans, which in turn supports fisheries and improves local incomes. In fact, mangrove forests can even be developed into eco-tourism attractions. If properly maintained, they can become sanctuaries for bird species, attracting bird watchers and nature enthusiasts. Some countries measure the success of mangrove restoration by recording bird calls, while others, like Singapore, use cameras to monitor wildlife presence in their urban wetlands. The Philippines could follow these best practices to track progress. Interagency Collaboration: A Missing Link Mangrove restoration cannot be handled by just one agency. It requires collaboration between multiple government offices, scientific institutions, and the private sector. To make this happen, the government should establish Technical Working Groups (TWGs) or coordinating councils that bring together the following agencies: DENR – Overall lead agency for reforestation and land management Forest Management Bureau (FMB) – Overseeing mangrove conservation Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) – Ensuring sustainable fishery practices Department of Science and Technology (DOST) – Providing research and technology support Forest Products Research and Development Institute (FPRDI) – Studying the sustainable use of mangrove resources Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) – Using satellite data to monitor mangrove growth UP College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences (CFOS) and UP College of Forestry and Natural Resources (CFNR) – Providing research-based guidance Department of Agriculture (DA) – Exploring crops that can thrive in mangrove forests (e.g., coffee and cacao) Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) – Supporting value-added processing of fish and other marine products Even if CFOS is in Iloilo and CFNR is in Laguna, they should collaborate because mangrove forests directly impact fishery resources. The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA), in partnership with DENR, should also develop an online database tracking the growth of mangrove forests nationwide in real time. An Interdisciplinary, Interagency, and Intersectoral Mission Restoring mangrove areas should not be treated as an isolated environmental project. It must be recognized as a multi-sectoral initiative that contributes to: Environmental protection – Preventing coastal erosion, acting as natural storm barriers Food security – Supporting fisheries and marine biodiversity Disaster mitigation – Reducing storm surges and coastal flooding Community livelihood – Providing sustainable sources of income Climate change adaptation – Absorbing carbon and reducing global warming effects This is not just about planting trees—it’s about securing our future. If we are truly serious about restoring our mangrove areas, we need bold policies, strong partnerships, and measurable outcomes. The time for talk is over—it’s time to act.