TACLOBAN CITY — Efforts to strengthen coastal protection in this city have been intensified following a new partnership between the regional office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Eastern Visayas (DENR) and PH Haiyan Advocacy Inc., focusing on the long-term management of mangrove ecosystems.
The collaboration was formalized through the signing of a memorandum of agreement under the government’s adopt-a-site program, covering about 74 hectares of mangrove areas established under the National Greening Program (NGP).
These sites are home to native mangrove species that play a vital role in shoreline protection, biodiversity conservation, and climate resilience.
The project spans several coastal barangays, including Anibong, Bagacay, Old Kawayan, Cabalawan, Naga-Naga, Lower Nula-Tula, Diit, San Isidro, and Tagpuro—areas that were heavily affected by storm surges and continue to benefit from mangrove rehabilitation efforts.
Through the partnership, DENR and PH Haiyan Advocacy Inc. aim to sustain and further enhance these mangrove plantations while promoting nature-based solutions to address environmental challenges.
The initiative is also expected to contribute to disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation, and improved community resilience.
Under the agreement, DENR will provide technical supervision, guidance, and monitoring to ensure compliance with environmental standards. PH Haiyan Advocacy Inc., on the other hand, will take the lead in crafting a five-year development plan, securing resources through an approved work and financial plan, and mobilizing local communities for project implementation.
DENR Regional Executive Director Arturo Salazar underscored the importance of partnerships in advancing environmental protection, stressing that collective action is key to achieving sustainable and lasting impact.
The initiative highlights a shared commitment between government and civil society to safeguard coastal ecosystems and strengthen the resilience of communities in Tacloban City.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
