Oceana Urges LGUs to Act on New Mangrove Guidelines

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

Marine conservation group Oceana is calling on local government units (LGUs) in coastal areas to swiftly implement new national guidelines on mangrove restoration and coastal greenbelt management issued by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2025-066, signed on July 3 by Secretary Juanito Victor C. Remulla, mandates LGUs to establish, protect, and restore greenbelt zones consisting of natural or planted mangrove and beach forest vegetation.

These greenbelts serve as critical natural buffers that reduce coastal erosion, protect communities from typhoons, storm surges, and tsunamis, and enhance long-term climate resilience.

Under the new directive, LGUs are required to integrate coastal greenbelt management into local development and investment plans, ensure community involvement, and adhere to existing environmental regulations.

“Local coastal communities should not resign to their fate of having to face storm surges, strong waves, and other fatal impacts of climate change,” said Atty. Rose-Liza Eisma Osorio, Oceana’s acting vice president.

“Disasters should be managed. Risks can be reduced. Climate adaptation measures should be enforced,” she added.

Osorio welcomed the issuance of the guidelines, calling it “an important milestone” in the country’s climate adaptation and disaster risk reduction efforts, especially as the policy coincides with National Disaster Resilience Month and World Mangrove Day this July.

She stressed that the timing also aligns with a moment of renewed accountability, as newly elected local officials begin their fresh terms.

“At a time when you just got this fresh mandate from the people you vowed to serve, we expect you to make this your priority program,” she said.

“Restore and protect your mangrove forest areas, establish policies and actions to declare these areas as coastal greenbelt zones, and dedicate them as natural buffer zones to protect the people’s survival and their right to food and livelihood security,” Osorio emphasized.

While the guidelines provide the framework, Oceana noted that successful implementation depends on the political will, planning capacity, and environmental commitment of local leaders.

The memorandum encourages LGUs to coordinate with relevant national agencies, civil society organizations, and community stakeholders in crafting science-based and participatory approaches to greenbelt zoning.

Mangroves play a vital role in coastal ecosystems by reducing wave energy, stabilizing shorelines, filtering pollutants, and serving as nursery grounds for fish and other marine life that support local livelihoods.

According to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Philippines has lost more than 50 percent of its mangrove forest cover over the past century due to logging, land conversion, and poor coastal planning.

Efforts to restore mangroves have gained traction in recent years through the National Greening Program and climate-resilient community projects, but implementation has remained uneven across LGUs.

With climate-related disasters increasing in frequency and severity, Oceana said the DILG’s directive comes at a critical juncture for institutionalizing nature-based solutions in local governance.

The group urged national oversight to ensure compliance and capacity-building support for LGUs that lack technical resources.

“Now that the tools are in place, local leaders must act without delay,” Osorio said.