Politics · Philippines Bureau
De Lima urges DENR to halt mangrove relocation pending further study
A prominent Philippine lawmaker has called on the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to suspend mangrove transplanting operations until more thorough environmental analysis is completed. The request came during congressional budget hearings this week.
LSN Philippines ·
Rep. Leila de Lima has urged the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to temporarily halt earth-balling and relocation activities for mangrove trees, pending completion of a more rigorous environmental impact study on the matter.
During recent House budget deliberations on the DENR's 2027 appropriations, de Lima raised concerns about the mangrove relocation program, questioning the adequacy of current scientific assessments before proceeding with large-scale transplanting efforts.
The Liberal partylist representative's intervention signals growing parliamentary scrutiny of environmental management decisions affecting the Philippines' coastal ecosystems. Mangrove forests play a critical role in protecting shorelines, supporting marine biodiversity, and sequestering carbon.
The DENR has not yet issued a formal response to de Lima's request for suspension of the relocation program pending further review. Environmental groups have previously raised concerns about mangrove management practices and their effectiveness in preserving natural habitats.