An internationally-recognized mangrove scientist based in Iloilo City pushes for the mangrove rehabilitation in areas such as abandoned fishponds and formerly mangrove areas, in a bid to reforest denuded coastal areas.
Dr. Jurgenne Primavera, the Chief Mangrove Scientific Advisor of the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) in her lecture on Mangroves 101 Webinar Series: Episode 2, participated by this writer, emphasized that previous mangrove areas are considered best for rehabilitation.
“Ecologically, former mangrove areas with the biophysical conditions for mangrove growth are best for mangrove rehabilitation,” she said.
She explained that Sonneratia alba (pagatpat) and Avicennia marina (bungalon, miapa or apiapi) are better suited to open, fringing coastlines because they can withstand typhoons and strong winds. Rhizophora (bakauan or bakhaw) species are found behind the Avicennia-Sonneratia band and also in the inner tidal rivers and creeks.
Dr. Primavera said that existing laws require reversion of any public/ government ponds that are already abandoned, back to mangroves. This however, does not apply to private or titled ponds.
She further explained that a joint administrative order (JAO) of the Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) specifically in its JAO series of 2011 Chapter 4 provides that tenurial Instruments for reverted Foreshore Lease Agreements (FLAs) for rehabilitation, either through Section 17 such as Community-Based Forest Management Agreement (CBFMA) or Section 18, Protected Area Community Based Resource Management Agreement (PACBRMA). The updated Fisheries Code also known as Republic Act 10654 provides that that Abandoned, Undeveloped, and Underutilized (AUU) FLA must be reverted to public domain for reforestation. The Philippine Fisheries Code (RA 8550) was amended in 2015 by RA 10654.
The mapping of mangrove areas for rehabilitation is the responsibility of the DENR. In this way, areas that needed immediate rehabilitation are identified and prioritized.
Dr. Primavera expressed dismay that despite the creation of an interagency technical working group to identify AUU FLAs, it was not properly implemented.
“Way back in 2008, which created an Inter-Agency Technical Working Group to identify FLAs abandoned for five years and prepare guidelines for mangrove reversion of AUU FLA areas. The problem is implementation and political will,” she said.
She further explained that one of the major challenges in converting abandoned fishponds for mangrove rehabilitation is the pond operators and holders of Foreshore Lease Agreement (FLA) themselves.
“Pond operators and FLA holders believe that they own the pond area and therefore oppose any mangrove reversion even if their FLAs are expired or invalid, or they have no legal claim,” Dr. Primavera further explained.
Her latest Mangrove 101 Webinar Series: Episode 2 seek support from various groups, organizations, government leaders, and stakeholders to push for mangrove rehabilitation in AUU FLA and abandoned fishponds.
Dr Primavera has BS Zoology, Master’s Degree in Zoology, PhD Marine Science and a PhD in Science honoris causa at University of the Philippines-Diliman, Indiana University, and Stockholm University respectively.
Her scientific contributions include studies on aquaculture of marine shrimp, science-based conservation of mangroves and beach forest identification and propagation. She has more than 140 scientific papers, reviews, manuals, books and other publications and serves as board member and scientific adviser of various organizations.
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