The International Day of the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem is commenced every 26th day of July annually, this was declared by the official sponsor, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) last 2016, it is not just to raise awareness on mangrove ecosystem importance but also honor the passing of Hayhow Daniel Nanoto, a Greenpeace activist, who lost his life due to a heart attack during a protest in Muisne, Ecuador which calls for the re-establishment of mangrove wetlands in the coastal town.
Even though its cover in the planet is rather small, its unique functions such as its importance to the protection of coastal communities from tsunamis and rising sea levels, houses a rich biodiversity and its contribution on combating climate change (Care Our Earth, 2021) put pressure on how this is needed to be conserved and to increase its cover.
Mangrove forest cover in the Philippines are commonly found in Western Visayas, Palawan and Mindanao (Tacio, 2012) wherein of the approximate 65 species of mangrove in the planet, 50% of its species are found in the country (Garcia & et.al., 2013). In 1918, 500,000 hectares of mangrove forest was estimated (Aguirre, 2020) however human activities throughout the years is the major threat to its degradation. A current issue is the proposal of San Miguel Corporation in constructing the New Manila International Airport (NMIA) in a coastal fishpond in Bulacan wherein the government is determined in going forward with it, despite the purpose of reducing the congestion produced by the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and its economic benefits, this project is crucial to the environment from negatively impacting coastal livelihood, causing disruption to its natural bird sanctuary and destroying 2, 500 hectares of mangroves. Continuing this project will produce a tidal wave of natural disasters such as further deterioration of Manila Bay, eradication of Luzon’s major fish source and occasional floods in Manila, Pasay, Paranaque and its neighbouring areas located near the bay (Mayuga, 2020). Along with surfacing threats, existing problems in mangrove forest decline like deforestation wherein 2,000 to 3,000 hectares annually is lost (Tacio, 2012). An existing act under the Philippine Law which is Section 4 of Republic Act 7161 states that cutting of all species of mangroves is banned and under Section 43 of Presidential Decree 705 or the Revised Forestry Code of the Philippines prohibits cutting operation of all mangrove swamps (DENR to Penalize Developer Who Cut Mangrove Trees, 2019). These laws need to be strictly followed as the constant rate of mangrove deforestation is a clear manifestation that the laws are not practiced.
Recently, the committee on natural resources approved the National Mangrove Forests Protection and Preservation Act. Along with this act, a council will take place in “introducing and implementing a comprehensive program for the preservation, reforestation, afforestation, and sustainable development of mangrove forests (Cervantes, 2021).” Additionally, mangrove forest reforestation is the known existing solution besides conservation. Locals from Leyte, Iloilo City, Sarangani and La Union within the time frame of the pandemic have already planted new mangrove trees. And currently the partnership between Globe and the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) Philippines, a prime mangrove rehabilitation organization which is successful is the reestablishment of mangrove forests in Aklan and Panay Island. Godof Villapando, Jr,. the country director of ZSL Philippines said, “the partnership with Globe Telecom as it provides an opportunity to promote the importance of sustainable mangrove rehabilitation and conservation through the participation of communities, government business sector, and Globe subscribers.” This partnership is important for conservation and sustainability (Castillo, 2021). The commitment seen by big corporations, non-government organizations, communities and individuals in the goal of conservation and preservation should be acknowledged and be practiced more often.
The College of Human Ecology Student Council is one with the celebration of World Mangrove Day and its purpose in conserving the existing mangrove forest cover in the Philippines and the world. We call for feasible action from the previous and new existing laws in the country on mangrove conservation as this ecosystem is crucial for us citizens protection from natural disasters but also the abundant biodiversity in the country.
26 July 2021
References:
Aguirre, J. (2020, November 18). A Philippine community sees life-saving payoffs from
restoring its mangroves. Mongabay Environmental News. https://news.mongabay.com/2020/11/a-philippine-community-sees-life-saving-payoffs-from-restoring-its-mangroves/
Care Our Earth. (2021, July 7). World Mangrove Day 2021 (July 26). CareOurEarth. https://www.careourearth.com/world-mangrove-day/
Castillo, J. (2021, January 18). Globe, ZSL Philippines Partner on Mangrove Protection for Climate Resilient Coastal Communities. Manila Bulletin. https://mb.com.ph/2021/01/18/globe-zsl-philippines-partner-on-mangrove-protection-for-climate-resilient-coastal-communities/
Cervantes, F. M. (2021, July 9). Mangrove conservation bill hurdles House committee. Philippine News Agency. https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1146533
Chavez, L., & Agbayani, S. C. (2020, September 30). Missing mangroves are root of contention over Philippine airport project. Mongabay Environmental News. https://news.mongabay.com/2020/09/missing-mangroves-are-root-of-contention-over-philippine-airport-project/
DENR to penalize developer who cut mangrove trees. (2019, June 20). Sunstar. https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1810712/Cebu/Local-News/DENR-to-penalize-developer-who-cut-mangrove-trees
Garcia K., Malabrigo P., Gevaña D. (2014) Philippines’ Mangrove Ecosystem: Status, Threats and Conservation. In: Faridah-Hanum I., Latiff A., Hakeem K., Ozturk M. (eds) Mangrove Ecosystems of Asia. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-8582-7_5
Mayuga, J. L. (2020, July 24). Bulacan Aerotropolis Project: Goodbye birds, hello big metal birds | Jonathan L. Mayuga. BusinessMirror. https://businessmirror.com.ph/2020/07/26/bulacan-aerotropolis-project-goodbye-birds-hello-big-metal-birds/
Tacio, H. (2012, July 20). Mangrove Forest Deforestation in the Philippines. Gaia Discovery. https://www.gaiadiscovery.com/nature-biodiversity/mangrove-forest-deforestation-in-the-philippines.html
Commentaires