Struggle over marshlands, wildlife preservation, and adolescent environmental activism in the Philippines highlighted by Matthew Vincent Tabilog
The Philippines, home to half of the world’s mangrove species, is grappling with the challenges of mangrove conservation. Despite significant losses over the last century, conservation efforts have made progress, albeit with persistent challenges.
Mangrove coverage in the Philippines has been reduced to approximately 250,000 hectares, a testament to the success of restoration and conservation projects. However, fragmentation, habitat degradation, and infrastructure developments continue to pose threats. For instance, the controversial flood mitigation project in Cebu City endangers the few remaining mangrove hectares there.
Community-based, participatory mangrove forest management is a crucial conservation approach, balancing forest preservation with the welfare of dependent local communities. Youth-led initiatives like Mangrove Matters PH are playing a vital role in this regard.
Founded by 25-year-old Matthew Vincent Tabilog, Mangrove Matters PH is a youth-driven initiative that mainstreams mangrove conservation through science communication, advocacy, policy lobbying, education, and restoration projects. Tabilog, who grew up in coastal Talisay City, Negros Occidental province, has publicly condemned harmful infrastructure developments and amplified calls for stronger protection of mangroves.
Tabilog is currently pursuing graduate studies at Hokkaido University, focusing on seagrass ecosystems. His long-term plan is to return to the Philippines and contribute to the protection of mangroves and seagrasses through teaching, research, or conservation.
Mangrove Matters PH has been involved in various youth-led activism campaigns, such as Save Manila Bay and opposing a liquefied natural gas plant in San Carlos City. They were pivotal in lobbying for key legislation on marine protected parks in the Philippine Senate last year and worked with Oceana Philippines on the Panaon Island Protected Seascape Bill, which declared key marine sanctuaries around the archipelago as protected areas.
Currently, Mangrove Matters PH is campaigning to protect the Las Piñas-Paranáque Wetland Park, a Ramsar site in Metro Manila, from reclamation. In Silay City, women earn around six pesos (US$0.11) per seedling, which helps sustain nursery operations and their households. Mangrove Matters PH donates shovels and other equipment to women community members in Tambobo Bay, Negros Oriental.
Tabilog is also advocating for the National Coastal Greenbelt Bill, which aims to develop and implement a coherent, comprehensive, and integrated National Coastal Greenbelt Management Action Plan. He will represent youth-led conservation efforts on the global stage at the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands (COP15) in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.
Tabilog's efforts are a beacon of hope for mangrove conservation in the Philippines. His work, along with that of Mangrove Matters PH, underscores the importance of youth-led initiatives in promoting conservation, advocacy, and education to protect mangroves and coastal resilience in the country.
[1] Philippine Mangroves: Status, Threats, and Opportunities. (2019). Department of Environment and Natural Resources. [2] Mangroves and Climate Change Adaptation in the Philippines. (2018). United Nations Development Programme. [3] Mangrove Matters PH. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://mangrovemattersph.org/ [4] Conservation and Sustainable Development of Mangrove Forests in the Philippines. (2020). World Wildlife Fund. [5] Bitaug Marine Protected Area. (2020). Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
- The Philippines, a home to half the world's mangrove species, faces challenges in mangrove conservation, despite restoration and conservation efforts.
- Mangrove coverage has been reduced to approximately 250,000 hectares, a result of these restoration and conservation projects.
- Fragmentation, habitat degradation, and infrastructure developments continue to threaten mangrove forests.
- A controversial flood mitigation project in Cebu City endangers the remaining mangrove hectares.
- Community-based, participatory mangrove forest management is crucial for balancing forest preservation and local community welfare.
- Youth-led initiatives like Mangrove Matters PH are playing a vital role in mangrove conservation.
- Matthew Vincent Tabilog, founder of Mangrove Matters PH, is a 25-year-old championing mangrove conservation.
- Tabilog, a graduate student at Hokkaido University, focuses on seagrass ecosystems.
- Tabilog aims to return to the Philippines and contribute to mangrove and seagrass protection through teaching, research, or conservation.
- Mangrove Matters PH has been involved in various campaigns, such as Save Manila Bay and opposing a liquefied natural gas plant.
- They were instrumental in lobbying for marine protected park legislation in the Philippine Senate last year.
- Currently, they are campaigning to protect the Las Piñas-Paranáque Wetland Park from reclamation.
- In Silay City, women earn around six pesos per seedling, sustaining nursery operations and households.
- Mangrove Matters PH donates equipment to women community members in Tambobo Bay.
- Tabilog is advocating for the National Coastal Greenbelt Bill, which aims to develop a comprehensive National Coastal Greenbelt Management Action Plan.
- He will represent youth-led conservation efforts on the global stage at the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands (COP15) in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.
- Tabilog's efforts are a beacon of hope for mangrove conservation in the Philippines.
- His work, along with that of Mangrove Matters PH, underscores the importance of youth-led initiatives in promoting conservation.
- Reports such as "Philippine Mangroves: Status, Threats, and Opportunities" provide insights into the current state of mangroves.
- "Mangroves and Climate Change Adaptation in the Philippines" highlights the role of mangroves in climate change adaptation.
- More information about Mangrove Matters PH can be found at their official website: https://mangrovemattersph.org/
- The World Wildlife Fund published a report on the conservation and sustainable development of mangrove forests in the Philippines.
- The Bitaug Marine Protected Area is one of the protected areas managed by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
- Climate change and mangrove degradation can increase the risk of chronic diseases like respiratory conditions.
- Sustainable development goal (SDG) 13 emphasizes the need for actions against climate change and its impacts.
- Renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind, can reduce greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to climate change mitigation.
- Science has proven the connection between sleep and various health and wellness aspects, including mental health, fitness, and digestive health.
- According to environmental science, deforestation causes loss of biodiversity and increased carbon emissions, exacerbating climate change.
- CBD products, derived from cannabis, are used to treat various medical conditions, including cancer, neurological disorders, and skin conditions.
- In the workplace, wellness programs focusing on health, fitness, and mental health can boost employee productivity and job satisfaction.
