De Lima urges DENR to suspend mangrove relocation pending study

MANILA — Liberal Party Representative Leila de Lima has pressed the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to suspend the relocation of mangroves, commonly known as "earth-balling," until more comprehensive studies are completed on the ecological impacts of the practice.

De Lima raised the issue during a House of Representatives hearing on the DENR's proposed 2027 budget allocation, questioning the status and implications of ongoing mangrove relocation efforts. The longstanding practice involves uprooting mangrove trees with soil intact and replanting them in different locations, typically to accommodate development projects.

The veteran legislator expressed concerns about insufficient environmental impact assessments prior to large-scale mangrove displacement operations. She argued that the DENR should conduct more rigorous scientific evaluation to better understand how the relocation affects coastal ecosystems, biodiversity, and the livelihoods of fishing communities dependent on mangrove forests.

Mangroves play a critical role in Philippine coastal ecosystems, serving as nurseries for fish and shellfish while providing natural protection against storms and erosion. Environmental groups have previously raised alarms about declining mangrove coverage in the Philippines due to development pressures and inadequate restoration efforts.