When typhoon Saling hit Bataan in 1987, it wiped out around 200 houses along the coastlines, save for 14 located in a mangrove area. Realizing that mangroves serve as natural barriers against storms and floods, rehabilitating and growing mangroves took root after that calamity, according to Jose Sally Raymundo, Vice-Chairman of the Tubo-Tubo Fisherfolks Association (TFA) in Orani, Bataan.
Beyond gaining a stronger sense of security during storms, the community has also developed greater self-sufficiency as they are now also earning additional income from the establishment of a mangrove nursery and aquaphonics.
In aquaponics, for instance, about 30 households cultivate different vegetables on 80-square-meter plots, earning up to ₱10,000 per month from selling their harvest.
Aside from storm protection, mangroves also support both the ecosystem and the local economy of coastal and nearby communities. They create habitats for crabs, fish, shrimp, and migratory birds, and even act as nurseries for many marine species.
And, with the ability of the mangroves to capture and store carbon four times greater than other tropical forests, the tangled, submerged roots and salt-loving nature of mangroves play a vital role in advancing Bataan Province’s goal for resilience and sustainability anchored on the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ (DENR) Project TRANSFORM.
Project TRANSFORM brings together government, private sectors, and communities to create long-lasting climate- and risk-resilience solutions at the level of local governments.
A flagship program of the DENR launched in Ormoc City on January 18, 2023, Project TRANSFORM (Transdisciplinary Approach for Resilience and Environmental Sustainability through Multistakeholder Engagement) brings together government, private sectors, and communities to create long-lasting climate- and risk-resilience solutions at the level of local governments.
One of the pilot areas of Project TRANSFORM is the province of Bataan which has been pushing for the expansion of its mangrove forests along its 177-kilometer coastline.
The mangrove conservation project “Baka1Bataan” is a combination of the words “bakauan” (mangrove) and “1Bataan”.
Locally termed “Baka1Bataan” – a combination of the words “bakauan” (mangrove) and “1Bataan” – the mangrove conservation project has taken center stage, with the DENR, local government units (LGUs), people’s organizations, and partners from the industry and civil society working together to replant and restore mangrove zones adversely affected by decades of land conversion, neglect, and climate change.
This year, the Provincial Government of Bataan issued Provincial Ordinance No. 2025-03, establishing the Coastal Greenbelt Network of mangroves spanning the coastal towns of Orani, Abucay, Balanga City, Samal and Mariveles.
Led by Governor Jose Enriquez Garcia III, the provincial government has partnered with companies such as San Miguel Global Power, SM, Aboitiz, and Orica Philippines, who have adopted 34 hectares of mangroves as part of their corporate outreach initiatives that promote environmental sustainability and help strengthen community resilience.
Under Project TRANSFORM, Baka1Bataan adopts a holistic approach, incorporating environmental education, sustainable livelihood training, and active collaboration with climate change experts for nursery growing and tree planting.
“From community-led reforestation to science-based strategies, Bataan is redefining resilience rooted in nature,” Garcia stressed.
The province has also integrated this into disaster risk reduction programs to ensure long-term protection and implementation. This ensures that the mangroves aren’t just planted – they thrive.
Through Project TRANSFORM and the Baka1Bataan, these coastal forests are being brought back to life not just for nature’s sake, but for the generations of Filipinos who depend on and call these shores home.
Serving as a symbol of unity and resilience, the project is a testament that bringing together nature-based solutions and people-centered development can lead to a more climate-resilient future.
