In the past few days I've learned a lot more than I expected regarding mangroves, coastal ecosystems and the problems surrounding it. If you asked me what I thought of this topic a month ago I might have given shallow and unfounded reasons. Up until yesterday's online research I finally have a clearer picture of what the real issue is.
Let me share with you more of this irritating situation we Filipinos are in regarding the Manila Bay reclamation projects. Here's a quick overview on mangroves and the problem.
Actually there's another reclamation plan coming up in Dumaguete and people have also raised concerns about it. I won't be adding that in this article for the meantime. For now, let's talk about the call to save Barangay (Brgy.) Taliptip in Bulakan, Bulacan, Philippines.
♦ Why Do We Need to #SaveTaliptip?
First of all, let's think about this... Why will you think of building an airport in a place where there is an existing and well loved mangrove nursery and ecopark? How ignorant must one be to plan and soon build an airport where plenty of migratory birds have been going for more than a decade? Is it for human convenience and a huge source of profit or because of ignorance and lack of interest on protecting local communities and their livelihoods?
FYI, migratory or resident birds can be a major safety problem for planes flying in and out of any airport. It is already happening in other airports across the globe, why would the Philippines be an exception? Unless all planes have integrated high tech radars there would probably be very little crash landings worldwide.
In New Caledonia, France they have been replanting mangroves too. One area they have planted such is near an airport. In about 10 years that may eventually be "bad" for airborne travel safety but very good for the environment and humanity in general. This then is the dilemma other people ponder on when the answer should be simple.
Do you think all planes or airports even have avian radars? I doubt it. This is why there is no doubt that people will soon have the Bulacan Mangrove Ecopark destroyed if the international airport is built. That's despite the promise of the current governor of Bulacan province. Remember, promises are meant to be broken, especially those coming from any politician's mouth.
Various local and international scientists and environmentalists have already spoken against building it and yet guess what? It's still ongoing!!! They'd rather have more flood problems among other things than plan to build it somewhere else. Good Lord, have mercy on us.
Did you know Japan did a research on the best places to put up a new airport to decongest Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and they never mentioned Bulacan at all?! Can you find out who are the people who still decided to build it there? 🤦♀️
For those who are still unaware and don't know much about mangroves, read the infographic near the top again. Or read about the 5 reasons why I get angry everytime I see posts about mangroves and Taliptip. Of course that includes the problem of local residents in the area, the future Bulacan aerotropolis, San Miguel Corporation (SMC) contractors or Ramon Ang and NEDA.
One important thing we should take note of: that area in Bulacan has slowly been sinking for years. The residents have been experiencing waist high floods when storms arrive and high tide happens. If you've read my previous article you will know all the reasons why they get flooded. You'll also find out how there's already a semi-submerged village in that province.
Again, why build an airport there? Why destroy the remaining mangroves FREELY helping to protect the area from much worse floods and possible submersion?!
(Not to mention the Remulla's selling off a Cavite island to the mainland Chinese back in 2018. This caused the denuding of the island and the decline of fish in the area, affecting fishermen the most. Mudderfudder. The rich people, most government officials and ignorant ordinary folks seem to have no respect for nature whatsoever. Are we waiting until it's too late and the whole world is severely affected by problems we all caused?)
The reality is, the bulk of wrong human activities are now combining and becoming widespread calamities. The issue surrounding the aerotropolis and Brgy. Taliptip is more than just the mangroves and fishermen because it's definitely mostly about environmentally abusive human behavior.
Scientists and environmentalists have already warned how building the airport can aggravate existing and future problems. I have already presented in my four articles (see other articles at the bottom) the reasons why it should not be built there. Now it is up to all of us to prevent future gloomy events from happening.
No I am not against progress and development. I am against disregarding and abusing nature to the detriment of the environment and humanity. These days, sustainability and conservation is a must! We cannot continue to be ignorant in using up and destroying our natural resources because people all over the world are suffering now and will continue to suffer until we learn to take care of nature.
♦ There is Some Hope But it is Not Enough
The good news is, on April 12, 2021, finally House Bill 9191 was submitted to the House of Representatives in our country to reverse Republic Act (RA) 11506. The RA is the reason why the NMIA is still being built unsolicitedly.
What else can we do aside from fighting for the rights of these important seaside plants?
In the past decade or so, I'm sure you've noticed there's been an increase in environmental problems happening all over the world. Because of this even the Philippine government has been amping up the safeguards to protect this important plant and its species. Unfortunately the aerotropolis is still ongoing despite protests from all concerned citizens. Why not when it's even backed by the darn government!!!
It's not all bad news here in our country though. There are various government agencies, corporations plus international and local private organizations working together to help preserve the mangroves and our declining biodiversity.
Recently even the Philippine Ports Authority made planting of mangroves mandatory for every contract/permit they issue (early 2020). Amazing right? But again that is a band-aid solution. Preservation is much better than restoration.
Remember, it only takes a few individuals to destroy the hardwork of many people. It is always easy to destroy than build something so let us be mindful of our actions.
♦ What's the Solution Again?
What should we do? Planting mangroves is not the easy solution because these plants don't grow fast at all. It will take around 10 years before these can even help the environment. (That timeline is common knowledge among mangrove conservationists.)
Preserving and conserving the already existing plants (and animals) is the best thing to do! Reducing waste and pollution should also be part of our everyday life. Let's not wait until another very destructive natural calamity hits us before we realize how preservation and conservation of mangroves and other natural resources is important.
Case in point:
Do you know about the viral story of Tatay (Father) Gary? He's a sextagenarian super typhoon Yolanda (Typhoon Haiyan) survivor. In 2013, 6,300 people died in Tacloban City, Leyte province and nearby areas no thanks to the massive storm surges. Because of what happened, he realized what his dad did back in Bohol is very important and so he thought of doing the same. He started planting washed up mangroves where he lived in Matalom, Leyte province AFTER surviving the worst storm in the Philippines.
People in our government and society in general should never forget about conserving and protecting our natural resources. That comes first and foremost! Our elected officials should add this activity to disaster reduction plans instead of allowing/encouraging projects like the planned Bulacan airport. The old way of thinking (not caring about the environment) must be discarded or else!
Mangroves provide food, shelter and livelihoods. Take note that government protected reserves have even become wildlife tourist attractions, giving more jobs and food to people.
Reforestation efforts is only part of the band-aid solution AFTER the damage has been done. Again, I believe preservation and sustainability is the key! Let's not forget what they say, "Prevention is better than cure," or "Laging nasa huli ang pagsisisi." (Regret always comes last.)
The past week the monsoon/typhoon rains brought about flooding in various areas of the Philippines again. Surprisingly people in Belgium and Germany experienced the same thing. And yet many of us are still unaware how mangroves can help protect us from dangerous floods and storm surges.
Again, we all can do something to help the environment:
One is by signing the signature campaign of the UP Marine Biological Society.
We can also personally contact our government officials to remind them of their social and environmental responsibility
Report or catch the mangrove cutters and help prevent further destruction of these important plants.
Spread environmental conservation awareness.
Change our environmental hazard habits (e.g. littering in the streets or creeks, wasting clean water, etc.) to better ones that help stop the loss of natural resources and reduce global pollution.
Plant indigenous mangroves in the right places.
I hope we can all do something about this everyday. I pray everyone will stop ignoring this growing problem that is slowly destroying the planet. Ah, do I sound redundant enough for you? 😅
Our actions now will determine the kind of future we will have. Let's decide to make it a safer and cleaner one, or else...
XOXO,
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Lead image from Unsplash.
Previous articles:
Disastrous Floods Are Everywhere Thanks to Loss of Mangroves?
5 Reasons Why Destruction of Mangroves is Irksome and Dangerous to Everyone
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