Mangroves are a vital component of coastal and marine ecosystems, and they serve as barriers from storm surges, waves, tides and current.
When Typhoon Winnie hit Quezon province in 2004, 1,500 lives were lost due to land slides and flashfloods that submerged the region with an estimated 3 to 6 meters in height. 10 years later, Haribon now works with the Maralitang Mangingisda ng Munting Sabang Association (MMMSA), the Municipal Government of Infanta and the Sangguniang Barangay of Dinahican to restore their mangrove forest, strengthening these natural barriers from storms as well as enhance coastal ecosystem functions.
Latest updates from the field
A total of 3,500 of mangrove seedlings were planted to restore one hectare of mangrove forest in Brgy. Dinahican, Infanta, Quezon. The teams also revisited previously delineated sites and updated maps of restored sites. MMMSA also receives livelihood and operations support through the funds allocated from the project for the production and maintenance of seedlings in a nursery, out-planting of hardened seedlings including the three-year maintenance. This was done by encouraging biodiversity-friendly business enterprises and discouraging extractive activities that would further jeopardize the status of mangrove forests in Infanta, Quezon. This undertaking further encourages them to be financially independent without resorting to prohibited activities.
The work of conserving biodiversity should be a multi-sector endeavor particularly involving people most affected by natural disasters and impacts of climate change. In 2015, training orientations were conducted to develop capacity of the local stakeholders to restore, manage and protect their mangrove forest. The importance of mangrove conservation was further inculcated in the community by discussing the forest’s importance and benefits in light of climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM).
To date, there were three trainings conducted for MMMSA, Local Government Unit (LGU), and the Infanta Municipal Government in Sitio Munting Sabang, Barangay Dinahican, Infanta, Quezon. Made possible together with the town officials of Dinahican, DENR-CENRO of Real.
“Maganda sana na ibahagi [ang kahalagahanng] ito sa iba lalong-lalo na sa mga mas bata pa kasama ang problema ng basurang natatamabak sa mga ugat ng bakawan.” / It would be great to orient others [about the importance] of conservation especially the younger generations who carelessly throw waste that gets tangled in the roots of mangrove trees. -MMSA member
Objective:
To bring back the community’s mangrove ecosystem, support biodiversity and to reduce impact brought about by climate change.
Donor:
Ricoh Company, Ltd.
Duration:
October 2014 to October 2019
By the numbers
- 3 training sessions on mangrove conservation.
- 10 Mangrove areas delineated with a plantable area of 11.28 hectares.
- 40 Community members trained on mangrove conservation.
- 3,500 Mangrove seedlings cultivated and planted.
- 46 Grade-school children learned about mangrove ecosystems.
