A GROUP of Bicolano legislators on Friday said local governments should be tapped for mangrove forest protection if the administration’s effort for a more sustainable management of coastal ecosystems were to be attained.
Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte and his fellow legislators from Camarines Sur in a statement said local executives of seaside communities should be given a greater role in environmental protection by authorizing them to oversee the establishment and upkeep of protected areas for mangrove forests in their localities.
The Camarines Sur legislators are seeking approval of House Bill 2275 that mandates local executives in areas along the sea coast to assume a major part in the establishment and sustainable development of mangrove resources.
The Philippines has the 10th widest mangrove forest cover in the world.
“Congressional approval of this measure is timely as the Marcos administration has just sealed a blue carbon action partnership accord with the WEF (World Economic Forum) Center for Nature and Climate on the sustainable management of our coastal ecosystems,” Villafuerte said.
Villafuerte was referring to the partnership agreement on the National Blue Carbon Action Partnership (NBCAP) on strengthening coastal ecosystems and boosting blue carbon conservation that Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) recently signed with Neo Gim Huay, managing director of the WEF Center for Nature and Climate.
Supported by the government of the United Kingdom (UK) through the UK Blue Planet Fund—specifically the Climate and Ocean Adaptation and Sustainable Transition (COAST)—this partnership agreement was signed on the sidelines of the 28th Conference to the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28), which was held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Villafuerte, HB 2275 proposes the establishment of a National Council for the Preservation of Mangrove Forests (National Council) as a DENR-attached agency to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and that is tasked to prepare a comprehensive program on developing, preserving, reforesting and protecting mangrove forests.
This proposed National Council shall also identify the boundaries of
coastal communities that are to form part of mangrove reservation
areas nationwide.
This bill provides, he said, for the creation of Local Councils for
the Preservation of Mangrove Forests (Local Councils) to implement at the local level the comprehensive plan to be developed by the National Council, and take charge of the day-to-day administration of the program.
Villafurete authored the bill, HB 2275 titled “Mangrove Forest
Protection and Reservation Act” with his brother, Rep. Luis Miguel
Villafuerte, and Rep. Tsuyoshi Anthony Horibata as well as Bicol Saro
party-list nominee, Brian Yamsuan.
