Philippines NBCAP

Wilson Batislaon, former Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Officer of LGU Leganes, is a true environmental champion whose dedication has made a lasting difference.

Together with the late Mayor Adolfo Jaen, Mayor Junjun Jaen II, Engr Samson Jaspe, and ZSL Philippines, he helped transform a 9.5-hectare fishpond back into a flourishing mangrove forest, now known as the Leganes Integrated Katunggan Ecopark — a place where people from across the region come to learn about mangrove rehabilitation and the importance of caring for our environment.

His work was proven inspiring that many communities have since replicated LIKE, establishing their own mangrove rehabilitation sites and ecoparks, spreading the vision far beyond Leganes. His efforts also earned him the honor of being named a Disney Hero for the Environment, a recognition that reflects the enormous impact he has made. Through his passion and perseverance, Wilson has inspired many to love and protect nature, making him not just a hero of Leganes, but a hero for all of us.

Madamo gid nga salamat, Sir Wilson.

Every action we take today becomes part of the legacy we leave behind.

This , we are reminded that environmental stewardship is not only about protecting nature in the present, it is about shaping the future we leave for generations to come.

Let us renew our commitment to conserving and restoring the ecosystems that sustain both people and planet.

From thriving mangrove forests and seagrass meadows to the communities and marine species they support, our blue carbon ecosystems are among the Philippines’ greatest natural treasures.

This World Environment Day, we are reminded of this year’s theme: Inspired by Nature. For Climate. For Our Future.

By protecting and restoring our blue carbon ecosystems, we draw inspiration from nature’s own solutions to climate change while helping secure a more resilient future for generations to come.

Let us appreciate the beauty, value, and resilience of the natural systems that connect us all. 💙

Honoring the environment is not a single-day celebration but a continuous act to protect it as we move from one day to the next. 💚

LOOK: The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) convened the first Philippines National Blue Carbon Action Partnership (NBCAP) Leadership Steering Committee (LSC) Meeting last May 26, bringing together government agencies, development partners, and the academe in a shared commitment to protect and restore the country’s blue carbon ecosystems. 🌊🌿

As Chair of the LSC, DENR Secretary Juan Miguel Cuna described the convening as an important step toward strengthening coordination, aligning priorities, and advancing implementation under the NBCAP Roadmap 2026–2030.

As emphasized during the discussions, blue carbon ecosystems cannot be managed in isolation. Through the Leadership Steering Committee, institutions across governance, infrastructure, transport, agriculture, tourism, science, and conservation are working together toward more coherent and collaborative action.

NBCAP continues to serve as a platform where strategy is translated into coordination, and coordination into implementation — for the future of the Philippines’ mangroves, seagrasses, and coastal ecosystems.

During the ceremonial handover of the Philippines NBCAP Roadmap, Lloyd Cameron of the British Embassy Manila underscored the transformative potential of blue carbon — not only as a climate solution, but as a pathway toward stronger livelihoods, resilient communities, and sustainable development.

His message reminds us that mangroves, seagrasses, and other coastal ecosystems are more than environmental assets. They are natural infrastructure that protect people, support biodiversity, and shape the future we leave for the next generation.

As the Philippines advances blue carbon action, partnerships and collective action remain at the heart of protecting both communities and ecosystems.

Formally received by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the NBCAP Roadmap represents the culmination of collaborative work led by the Philippines NBCAP Secretariat (ZSL Philippines) in partnership with DENR and various stakeholders.

Developed through a multi-sectoral process, the roadmap reflects shared priorities and technical inputs from across government, civil society, and development partners. As it is formally handed over to the DENR, it will serve as a guiding framework for scaling blue carbon action in the Philippines and strengthening the integration of coastal ecosystem solutions within national systems.

Since the launch of the NBCAP Blue Carbon Ecosystems (BCE) Explorer, around 500 unique users have already explored the platform — with traffic driven largely through direct sharing and social media.

The data also shows that users are accessing the Explorer across desktop, mobile, and tablet devices, helping make blue carbon information more accessible.

Thank you to everyone who explored, clicked, shared, and supported the platform so far. Every visit helps strengthen awareness for our coastal ecosystems 💙

Keep sharing! Keep exploring!

Access the explorer here: https://lnkd.in/gURS77h8
(Optimized for tablet and desktop viewing to access all panels)

Planting mangroves isn’t always the solution, especially when it’s done wrong.

This article highlights how poorly planned efforts—like planting the wrong species in the wrong areas—can do more harm than good, even damaging existing ecosystems.

Mangrove restoration must be science-based, site-specific, and community-informed. Because protecting our coasts means doing it right.

Read 👇🏼

When mangrove planting goes wrong MANILA, Philippines — Along a stretch of coastline, volunteers wade into shallow water, pressing mangrove seedlings into the mud — one by one, row after row. It is a familiar scene across the