Mangroves Protect Lives — Let’s Fight to Protect Them - Oceana Philippines
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May 27, 2025

Mangroves Protect Lives — Let’s Fight to Protect Them

Photo © Alvin Baloloy

Across the Philippines, coastal communities are losing their first line of defense against storm surge, flooding, and sea level rise: our mangrove and beach forests. 

Mangroves are more than just trees — they are powerful barriers that reduce wave energy by up to 66%, trap carbon dioxide that fuels global warming, and provide nurseries for young fish and other marine life vital to coastal communities’ food and livelihoods. Yet why did we allow over 50% of the Philippines’ original mangrove cover lost to unbridled destructive coastal projects, illegal mangrove conversion, and weak enforcement of protection laws? 

The urgency of this situation is what drives us to secure your support to restore our mangrove forests. We need to pass a national law that will compel the government and other duty-bearers to build coastal greenbelt zones.  

The proposed National Coastal Greenbelt Act will: 

  • Establish a nationwide mangrove and beach forest network as natural coastal defenses. 
  • Prohibit activities that harm or destroy existing mangroves. 
  • Mandate restoration programs based on science with local community engagement. 
  • Secure long-term funding and governance mechanisms for greenbelt management 

 

Wavemakers, this is your moment to make a difference!
We must show the country’s key decision makers that Filipinos stand united behind this critical bill.
Without your voice, momentum could stall, and every delay leaves more communities exposed to climate disasters.  

Here’s how you can help: 

  • Join the Dear Mr. President campaign urging President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to secure the passage of the National Coastal Greenbelt Act. Follow this link! https://bit.ly/4jk7nho 
  • Post on social media about the importance of mangroves using #GreenOurCoasts and #CoastalGreenbeltNow and tag your Congressmen and Senators. 
  • Share stories or photos about how mangroves protect your hometowns or places you love. 
  • Mobilize your friends and family — every voice counts! 
  • Join our Oceana events and campaigns to push for stronger coastal greenbelt protection. 

Healthy mangroves in our coasts mean healthier fisheries, stronger communities, and better chances of surviving a changing climate.

Together, we can ensure our children inherit thriving, resilient coastal ecosystems. 

Protect mangroves. Protect lives. Let’s win the Coastal Greenbelt Act together!