DENR Trains Engineers to Map Capiz Coastal Boundaries

CAPIZ, Philippines — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region VI has launched a major initiative to boost sustainable coastal management by training its geodetic engineers to accurately measure critical foreshore boundaries in Capiz province.

The three-day training, held March 24–26 at San Antonio Resort in Roxas City, focused on establishing the Mean High Water Line (MHWL) and Mean Low Water Line (MLWL) — crucial reference points for mapping foreshore areas and managing coastal development.

DENR Region VI officials said this move supports the agency’s broader goal of improving data-driven decision-making in environmental protection, infrastructure regulation, and land-use planning in marine and coastal zones.

“We need to enhance and better our understanding of how foreshore management can provide a solid, scientific basis for our coastal zone management,” said DENR Region VI Regional Executive Director Raul L. Lorilla.

“Only after we are able to accurately map it can we understand it well and make informed decisions on its proper use — what infrastructures to allow and how to implement environmental protection and conservation.”

The activity, titled “Establishing the Mean High Waterline and Mean Low Waterline in Capiz,” included both theoretical and hands-on training to ensure participants could apply the latest methodologies and tools in real-world conditions.

To collect accurate tidal data, geodetic engineers worked at specific hours — midday for high tide and midnight for low tide — highlighting the level of technical detail required for proper boundary setting.

All field data gathered during the activity will form part of the DENR’s ongoing coastal mapping initiatives.

Training was led by experts from the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA), specifically Dennis Arsenio B. Bringas, Chief of the Physical Oceanography Division, and Raymond A. Villapa, Oceanographer II.

Both shared practical insights into the complexities of coastal delineation and the impact of environmental variables such as wave activity, seasonal shifts, and human interventions on shoreline measurements.

According to Bringas, accurately defining coastal boundaries is a key element in mitigating future property disputes, preventing encroachments, and managing erosion and sea level rise.

Villapa also emphasized the role of coastal data in guiding the implementation of protective measures such as mangrove restoration and sustainable fishery zoning.

The Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) of Capiz, led by PENRO Ernest C. Federiso, is the only provincial office in Region VI to secure dedicated funding for foreshore mapping efforts — making Capiz a pilot site for this specialized work.

“This one crucial step of accurately delineating the foreshore and coastal areas of Capiz will help us ensure responsible coastal development, protect a vital ecosystem, and promote the sustainable use of marine resources,” said Federiso.

Capiz’s foreshore zone includes important fishery grounds and is home to mangrove forests, seagrass beds, and coral reefs, all of which are critical to biodiversity and coastal livelihoods.

The improved capacity of DENR’s geodetic engineers is expected to have long-term benefits for both environmental integrity and economic development.

Properly delineated foreshore areas can also aid in implementing policies aligned with the Philippine Development Plan 2023–2028, which prioritizes climate adaptation, coastal resilience, and marine resource management.

DENR Region VI confirmed that the training is part of a wider regional strategy to scale up scientific capabilities and ensure coastal decisions are rooted in accurate, real-time data.

The agency said it will continue investing in field-based training and mapping to support local government units (LGUs), particularly in areas vulnerable to sea level rise and unregulated development. (DENR-6)