We, members of the Global Mangrove Alliance Philippines, urge the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to withdraw or substantially revise its Memorandum dated October 8, 2025, titled “Interim Operational Guidance and Conditions on the Earth-Balling and Relocation of Mangroves in Exceptional Circumstances.”

While the memorandum claims that mangroves should not be removed or disturbed, it introduces a dangerous loophole: it allows the earth-balling and relocation of mangroves for infrastructure “flagship projects” endorsed by government authorities, once proponents claim that all other mitigation measures have been exhausted.

𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐩𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐲 𝐢𝐬 𝐝𝐞𝐞𝐩𝐥𝐲 𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠.

Mangroves are not movable infrastructure. They are complex, living ecosystems that serve as natural storm barriers, prevent coastal erosion, support fisheries, store vast amounts of blue carbon, and sustain the livelihoods of coastal communities. Scientific evidence consistently shows that earth-balling and relocation of mangroves result in extremely low survival rates, irreversible damage to root systems, biodiversity loss, and permanent degradation of ecosystem services. Mangroves are complex, interdependent ecosystems that cannot simply be moved without catastrophic ecological consequences. Removing mangroves, even temporarily, can trigger long-term ecological and economic harm.

The memorandum’s definition of “exceptional circumstances” is dangerously broad. Allowing exemptions for infrastructure projects creates a clear pathway for mangrove removal across the country, particularly in ecologically sensitive coastal areas. If left unchallenged, this interim guidance risks becoming standard operating procedure across DENR regional offices, effectively rolling back decades of mangrove protection policy in the Philippines.

Mangroves are not obstacles to development. They are frontline defenses against climate change, irreplaceable natural infrastructure for disaster risk reduction, and essential to food security and community resilience.

If mangroves are removed, it is the people, especially the coastal dwellers — not large infrastructure proponents — who will bear the long-term consequences of degraded mangrove cover: intensified flood risk, reduced fish catch, loss of livelihoods, and diminished coastal resilience in the face of worsening climate impacts.

Allowing the relocation of mangroves for short-term economic gain contradicts the principles of sustainable development and environmental stewardship.

We therefore urge the DENR to:

1. Withdraw or substantially revise the Memorandum dated October 8, 2025, titled “Interim Operational Guidance and Conditions on the Earth-Balling and Relocation of Mangroves in Exceptional Circumstances;”

2. Remove the infrastructure project exemption that authorizes mangrove earth-balling and relocation, as it has no sufficient scientific basis and poses grave risks to coastal ecosystems and communities;

3. Uphold the strongest science-based protections for mangrove ecosystems consistent with the precautionary principle, the State’s climate commitments, and the rights of coastal communities to a healthy environment; and

4. Conduct meaningful, inclusive consultations with local government units, coastal communities, scientists, and civil society organizations before issuing any policy or guidance that may affect mangrove ecosystems.

Every member of the Alliance calls for the protection of Philippine mangroves. We urge the Filipino people to act in solidarity to protect our coasts’ first defenders – alongside scientists, civil society organizations, and concerned citizens.

Mangroves are not obstacles to development, but are allies in economic growth, food security, disaster risk reduction, and climate change mitigation.

Together, let us protect our mangroves and the communities that depend on them towards more resilient Philippine coasts for the present and future generations.

Sign the petition to protect mangroves from earth-balling or relocation here: https://c.org/RshCFSZBRj