Del Carmen, Siargao Islands – Along the tide-kissed shores of this quiet coastal town in Surigao del Norte, where the mangroves now stand thick and proud, a powerful story of transformation and resilience has taken root—one that stretches from environmental neglect to international recognition.
Once infamously known as the “illegal mangrove cutting capital of the Philippines,” Del Carmen has become a global example of climate action and community-led conservation. Its thriving mangrove forests—now spanning over 4,800 hectares—have been officially designated the country’s 10th Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention, thanks to decades of collective effort by the local government, people’s organizations, and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Caraga.
But this transformation didn’t happen overnight.
The Fisherman’s Tale: A Witness to Change
Bienvenido Dumale Edillo, now 63, remembers the mangrove forest of his youth well. At just seven years old, he began his life as a fisherman, navigating the waters of Del Carmen in the late 1960s. Back then, mangroves were so abundant they were often seen as an endless resource for firewood and construction.
“We used the mangrove logs as firewood for cooking. Some of my friends even sold them,” Edillo recalled. “We never thought it would be a problem.”
Between 1988 and 2011, Del Carmen’s mangrove cover declined drastically—from 5,547 hectares to just 4,295—largely due to unsustainable practices, including widespread cutting. The ecological damage threatened not only biodiversity but also the livelihoods of communities that depended on fish and marine resources for survival.
Turning the Tide Through Collaboration
It was in 2010 when newly-elected Mayor Alfredo Coro Jr. faced the daunting challenge of reversing Del Carmen’s ecological decline.
“Del Carmen was almost tagged the illegal mangrove cutting capital of the Philippines,” he admitted. But instead of accepting defeat, he spearheaded a massive shift in policy and perception—rooted in science, sustainability, and the power of community.
In 2011, the National Greening Program (NGP) was launched under Executive Order No. 26, and DENR Caraga found in Del Carmen a willing partner. Together with people’s organizations like SANJOFISHFARMA, MEPA, and DELCAFIA, a mangrove rehabilitation campaign was rolled out across multiple barangays.
Over 3.9 million mangrove seedlings were planted from 2011 to 2015 across more than 1,600 hectares—reintroducing native species like bakauan babae, bakauan bato, and barakas. By 2020, mangrove cover had rebounded to 4,871 hectares, representing a 13.4% increase and securing Del Carmen’s place as one of the largest contiguous mangrove forests in the country.
“It was not just about planting trees,” said Mayor Coro. “It was about shifting mindsets and helping our people realize that protecting these forests is protecting their own future.”
Nature’s Fortress Against the Storm
That future became painfully real in December 2021 when Super Typhoon Odette battered parts of the Visayas and Mindanao. In Del Carmen, residents like Edillo credit the mangroves for shielding their homes from catastrophic storm surges.
“I can say that the mangrove rehabilitation program saved us,” Edillo shared. “During Odette, the mangrove forest protected our families and properties.”
Beyond their storm-buffering role, mangroves have proven to be nature’s carbon vault—capable of storing up to four times more carbon dioxide than terrestrial forests. They support 245 species of fauna, 20% of which are endemic to the Philippines and Mindanao. These include the endangered Hawksbill sea turtle and the Philippine duck.
A Ramsar Site and a Community’s Pride
At the 10th Asian Wetland Symposium in November 2024, the Del Carmen Mangrove Reserve was formally added to the Ramsar List, cementing its global importance. The designation recognizes the site not only for its ecological value but also for its contribution to food security, climate resilience, and sustainable tourism.
“This recognition is a testament to the dedication of our community,” said Mayor Coro. “It began as a small coastal initiative and has grown into a model for the world.”
DENR Caraga Regional Executive Director Nonito Tamayo echoed this sentiment, highlighting how the collaboration has redefined the role of local communities in environmental governance.
“Our work in Del Carmen shows that conservation is not only possible but also powerful when people are at the heart of it,” he said.
A Legacy for the Future
Today, Edillo continues to fish, but his role has expanded. As a barangay official and advocate, he now spends as much time educating his neighbors as he does on the water.
“I always tell them: mangroves are not just trees. They are life. They protect us, feed us, and give us hope,” he said.
Del Carmen’s journey—from degradation to global designation—is a living testament to what communities can achieve when they protect what protects them. As sea levels rise and storms grow stronger, the mangroves of Del Carmen stand as a green wall of resilience—and a beacon of what is possible when people and nature work together.