Philippine Mangroves Essay

The National Capital Region (NCR is a populous megacity and the seat of power of the Philippine government. This 63,600 ha metropolitan area lies in the southwestern portion of Luzon–the largest and most populated island in the country—and bounded by Manila Bay on the west. It houses about 11 million inhabitants from 16 cities and 1 municipality. Along its 41.22 km coastline, which stretches from Navotas in the north to Las Piñas in the south, are 17 barangays, some built up areas, and patches of vegetation in the cities of Las Piñas, Parañaque, and Navotas (Appendix F). Based on the Survey and Mapping of Foreshore Report, the NCR has a total of 86.76 ha remaining foreshore areas.

These coastal barangays depend directly and indirectly on Manila Bay for their daily subsistence. The livelihood for the majority of people in these coastal communities relies primarily on agricultural activities concentrated in fisheries production. Other residents are engaged in informal jobs, ranging from vending, backyard farming, shellfish cultivation, and the like. Employment in both private and public establishments such as manufacturing industries is also identified.

Importance of Mangroves

This only goes to show that mangroves have been a part not only of the region’s ecology but history and culture as well. Aside from this, the verdant mangrove covers of NCR provides a number of ecosystem services such as: (a) carbon sink of the residential, commercial and industry emissions in the cities of Paranaque, Las Piñas, and Navotas; (b) natural filters of pollutants coming from the bordering rivers; (c) physical barrier to storm surge; (d) habitat of migratory birds; and (e) ecotourism