Environmentalists Criticize Catanduanes Provincial Government for Planting Wrong Mangrove Species, Calling it Wasteful

A coalition of environmental groups, led by Raise for Habitat, has raised concerns over the Catanduanes provincial government’s recent tree-planting activity, accusing it of planting the wrong mangrove species.

At least eight environmental organizations wrote a letter to the province’s environment and natural resources office, questioning whether a baseline study was conducted or consultations with local experts and communities were held before the project.

While appreciating the initiative, the groups urged the government to avoid wasting resources and instead establish effective regulations and provincial-wide protocols for proper mangrove planting and zonation.

The letter, sent on Monday, highlights the importance of preserving mangrove forests, especially for an island province like Catanduanes, which is vulnerable to storm surges and sea-level rise.

During the tree planting activity at Barangay Bon-ot, San Andres town, volunteers were observed planting the Rhizophora variety, known as “bakhaw babae” among the locals, alongside two other mangrove types, Sonneratia (“pagatpat”) and Avicennia (“bungalon”).

Experts pointed out that Rhizophora species typically thrives in the midward zone with lower salinity, said Matthew Tabilog, Mangrove Matters PH founder and one of the petitioners.

But the volunteers planted them in a seaward zone, a sandy area suitable for plants adapted to saline water.

This misplacement could result in a lower survival rate for the Rhizophora and may lead to competition with existing mangroves.

Conservationist groups expressed concern over the vulnerability of Rhizophora to barnacle infestation, which could potentially spread to other mangroves and cause their demise.

They criticized the lack of knowledge about mangrove zonation and questioned why the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the highest conservation authority, allowed such practices.

Estimates suggest that planting 50 propagules or seedlings of mangroves costs at least P10,000. The environmentalists stressed the need for efficient resource use and the proper conservation of mangroves.

They called on local governments to conduct baseline studies and consultations before planting, ensuring the selection of suitable species for their specific mangrove zones.

To remedy the situation, the groups recommended transferring the wrongly planted seedlings to a nursery until they grow to a meter high and then replanting them in the correct zone.

The groups emphasized the importance of normalizing proper protocols, as there will likely be more government and private-led mangrove planting activities in the future, and such malpractices must be avoided.

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