Philippines: Mangrove defense eyed vs sea surges

Macon Ramos-Araneta Manila Standard 1 Dec 13;

A RECENT British study showed that mangroves are the best natural defense against storm surges, similar to the one that devastated the Eastern Visayas region last month, according to Senator Cynthia Villar.

“They are the most effective tool against storm surges, more effective than seawall or cemented fences,” said Villar, citing a 2012 study conducted by the University of Cambridge.

The study showed that “mangroves slow the flow of water as the surge moves inland and reduce the waves riding on top of the surge, lowering water levels and reducing damage behind the mangroves.”

“They are the most effective tool against storm surges, more effective than seawall or cemented fences,” said Villar.

The planting of mangrove trees will be part of a comprehensive program of environmental protection being prepared as a reaction to the devastation brought about by Yolanda, said Villar who has been opposing the reclamation around the 175-hectare Las Piñas-Paranaque Critical Habitat and Ecotourism Area, a protected area included in the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance.

“The inclusion of no-build zones in coastal areas in this program is a step in the right direction. I also suggest that this program include a moratorium on reclamation because reclaiming of lands could lead to the destruction of natural marine barriers like mangroves,” Villar said.

She welcomed the signing of an executive order delegating to the National Economic Development Authority the approval of any reclamation project.

The senator, whose advocacy includes environmental protection, has welcome the directive of President Noynoy Aquino to put up more mangrove forests in coastal areas all over the country as a natural barrier against deadly storm surges.

She also asked the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to not only concentrate on areas hardest hit by Yolanda-spawned storm surges but also in other coastal areas.

“We have seen how the storm surge flooded Roxas Boulevard and caused damage to hotels and other establishments in the area. This means urban areas like Metro Manila are as vulnerable as any coastal area in the country,” she said.

“Our action should now be definite because these storm surges, as experts tell us, are not new. We hear of records dating as far back as 1897 where 7,000 lives were lost and in 1912 where some 15,000 died in the Visayas due to typhoon and tidal waves. The experts also tell us that storm surges will be more frequent because of climate change,” she added.

The senator also urged the government to implement the National Greening Program under Executive Order No. 26, which mandates the planting of 1.5 billion trees in 1.5 million hectares of land, including mangrove reforestation.

She pointed out that we have lost 75.6% of mangroves in the past 82 years. We all know that a thriving mangrove cover is one of the best indications of a healthy environment or if nature can still support life in an area.