DENR Restores 98 Hectares of Mangrove Forests on Quezon Island, Bolstering Natural Defenses

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has announced the completion of the rehabilitation of approximately 98 hectares of mangrove forests on Jomalig Island, Quezon, which had been damaged by successive typhoons. This initiative is expected to bolster the municipality's natural defenses and contribute to the conservation of marine biodiversity. According to DENR-Calabarzon, the restoration efforts were carried out through the National Greening Program, the Yolanda Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Program, and the Mangrove and Beach Forest Development Project. The focus was particularly on mangrove areas in Barangay Talisoy. The DENR stated that the restored mangrove forests not only protect coastal communities from storm surge impacts but also provide vital habitats for marine species such as fish and crustaceans, thereby helping to boost fishery resources and create sustainable livelihood opportunities for residents. Jomalig Island, the smallest and easternmost island municipality of Quezon, faces the Pacific Ocean, making it highly vulnerable to typhoons and rough seas. Mangrove forests, often referred to as the "rainforest of the sea," play a critical role in maintaining healthy coastal ecosystems. Their extensive root systems serve as breeding and nursery grounds for fish and other marine life, while fallen leaves provide a natural food source for aquatic organisms. In the Philippines, the cutting of mangrove trees is prohibited under Presidential Decree No. 705, or the Revised Forestry Code, and Republic Act No. 8550, or the Philippine Fisheries Code. Due to strict enforcement of environmental laws by the DENR, provincial, and local authorities, mangrove cutting for charcoal and fishpond expansion has stopped in most parts of the province.