Photo Caption:
Project partners ratify the Tubo-Tubo Island Mangrove Conservation Project. (L-R) Orani Mayor Antonio Arizapa Jr.; Bataan 3rd District Representative Maria Angela Garcia; DENR Secretary Atty. Raphael P.M. Lotilla; AboitizPower COO – Operated Assets Ronaldo Ramos; and Tubo-Tubo Fisherfolks Association Chairman Rosana Laxa sign the Memorandum of Agreement at the DENR Central Office in Quezon City. (Contributed photo)
BATAAN- National and local government agencies, in partnership with Aboitiz Power Corporation (AboitizPower), signed on Wednesday an agreement for the establishment and steward of the P14-million mangrove conservation project in Barangay Kabalutan, Orani, here.
On the momentous event held at the Central Office of Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Quezon City, project partners Orani Mayor Antonio Arizapa Jr.; Bataan 3rd Dist. Rep. Maria Angela Garcia; DENR Secretary Atty. Raphael P.M. Lotilla; AboitizPower COO- Operated Assets Ronaldo Ramos; and Tubo-Tubo Fisherfolks Association Chairperson Rosana Laxa sign the Memorandum of Agreement ratifying the Tubo-Tubo Island Mangrove Conservation Project.
The project aims to help regenerate mangrove area through planting activities, regular monitoring, protection measures, and community awareness campaigns that local and national stakeholders can replicate. According to the 2024 State of the Coasts of Bataan, the province’s mangrove area decreased from 3.95 square kilometers to 1.56 square kilometers between 2012 and 2016 due to human activity and climate change.
Mangroves can shield coastal communities from storm surges and erosion, filter water, and nurture marine life that sustains the communities.
The conservation project supports DENR Administrative Order 15-90, which outlines regulations for the utilization, development, and management of mangrove resources in the Philippines, and aligns with the agency’s Project Transform, a science-based program to strengthen resilience against climate change.
The project also follows existing environmental projects of GMEC and GNPD in other parts of Bataan like in Samal, Abucay, and Morong, bringing its total conservation efforts to 30 hectares.
“Today, marks a significant milestone in our journey towards resilience, environmental sustainability, and inclusive development,” said DENR Sec. Lotilla, adding that the agreement is a collective assertion that development will not come at the expense of the environment.
“Aside from serving as spawning grounds for marine life, mangroves also protect our area from storm surges [and] helps the environment by absorbing carbon,” Orani Mayor Arizapa said, explaining the project shows that real progress happens when the government, private sector, and communities work together.”
Bataan is home to the GMEC and GNPD facilities, both entities are private limited partnerships, with AboitizPower having a 78.3% and 70% effective partnership interest in each, respectively.
