Oceana urges coastal greenbelt bill before storm season

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

With the rainy season approaching, Oceana is urging Congress to fast-track the proposed National Coastal Greenbelt Act to protect coastal communities from worsening floods, storms and storm surges linked to climate change.

The international marine conservation group said the bill would ensure the protection and restoration of mangrove forests nationwide.

The call comes nearly one year after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered an investigation into corruption-ridden flood control projects amid persistent flooding across the country.

In a statement, Oceana said the government should invest in and prioritize nature-based solutions to flooding, super typhoons and other extreme weather events.

“Is the government doing all it can to protect our people and communities from the anticipated impacts of climate change? The sad answer is no – because instead of ensuring the protection of nature’s most effective defenses against coastal erosion and storm surges, it is allowing the continuing decimation of our mangrove forests,” said Von Hernandez, Oceana vice president.

The Philippines’ mangrove cover was estimated at 285,000 to 311,400 hectares in 2020, down from a high of 500,000 hectares in the early 20th century.

The country is also a biodiversity hotspot for mangroves, hosting at least 50 percent of the approximately 65 mangrove species found worldwide.

“Meanwhile, the fixation on flood-control projects has resulted in billions of public money squandered. On top of that, we’ve seen losses in people’s lives and livelihoods, and damage to property—leaving more communities vulnerable to climate impacts,” he added.

Hernandez described faulty and irregular flood control projects, breached seawalls and dikes as massive wastage of public funds that could have supported children’s education, health subsidies for the poor and environmental resilience.

“Mangroves are a science-proven shield for our coastal communities against the damaging impact of the climate crisis. Unlike seawalls and other concrete infrastructure, mangroves recover, adapt, and grow. These can reduce wave heights by up to 75 percent,” he said.

During a hearing of the House Committee on Climate Change, Oceana called for a stand-alone National Coastal Greenbelt Act instead of folding the measure into the proposed Integrated Coastal Management Act.

Oceana said a stand-alone greenbelt bill would establish clear targets, designate a single lead agency, set firm timelines and secure dedicated funding for mangrove protection.

The group said an Integrated Coastal Management Act could be slowed by the need to address multiple and competing priorities, including fisheries, tourism, shipping, reclamation and urban development.

“The climate emergency should compel Congress to pass a dedicated, standalone greenbelt bill now, one that protects our coastal communities from calamitous storm surges and impacts, and that will not be held hostage by other competing economic and commercial interests,” said Hernandez. “Failure to do this would be criminal, leaving millions of our countrymen vulnerable and defenseless against the catastrophic impacts of climate change,” he added.

Oceana describes itself as the largest international advocacy organization dedicated solely to ocean conservation.

The group said it works to rebuild abundant and biodiverse oceans by winning science-based policies in countries that control one-quarter of the world’s wild fish catch.

Oceana said it has recorded more than 325 victories that stop overfishing, habitat destruction, oil and plastic pollution, and the killing of threatened species such as turtles, whales and sharks.

The group said a restored ocean means 1 billion people can enjoy a healthy seafood meal every day, forever.