SARANGANI PROVINCE — In a powerful display of leadership and environmental stewardship, women from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region XII took center stage in a series of marine conservation activities on March 27, aligning their efforts with this year’s Philippine Women’s Month theme, “Lead Like the Babaylans, Filipinas!”
The initiative unfolded across the coastal waters of Malapatan and Glan, where a team of women environmental leaders conducted underwater reef monitoring, marine clean-ups, and biodiversity protection efforts.
Women at the Helm of Marine Protection
Leading the initiative was DENR XII Regional Executive Director Maria Elvira V. Lumayag, joined by Community Environment and Natural Resources Officers Joy C. Ologuin and Felix D. Robles Jr.. Their leadership symbolized a modern reflection of the babaylan—traditional Filipina figures known for guiding communities through wisdom and care for nature.
Working alongside personnel from the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office, the Protected Area Management Office of the Sarangani Bay Protected Seascape, and the Philippine National Police Maritime Group, the women-led team demonstrated how inclusive collaboration strengthens environmental action.
Cleaning the Seas, One Dive at a Time
Divers conducted underwater monitoring in selected reef sites, retrieving approximately four kilograms of marine waste. Among the debris collected were discarded fishing nets and lines, plastic sachets, sacks, and PVC pipes—materials that pose significant threats to marine ecosystems.
Beyond waste removal, the team also carried out the extraction of crown-of-thorns starfish, a species known to devastate coral reefs when left unchecked. Three individuals were carefully removed during the operation to prevent further coral damage.
These activities form part of the DENR’s Coastal and Marine Ecosystems Management Program (CMEMP), which promotes sustained and science-based conservation actions through regular, coordinated field operations.
Signs of Hope Beneath the Waves
Despite the presence of marine debris, the team reported encouraging signs of reef resilience. During their monitoring, they observed thriving marine life, including giant clams, sea turtles, and the elusive whitetip reef shark—an important indicator of a healthy reef ecosystem.
These sightings underscore the ecological importance of Sarangani Bay, a biodiversity-rich marine area that continues to support diverse species despite ongoing environmental pressures.
A Collective Effort for the Future
While women led the charge, the initiative also highlighted the role of male counterparts in supporting conservation work, reinforcing the importance of unity in safeguarding natural resources.
The March 27 activity stands as a testament to the growing role of women in environmental leadership—proving that conservation is not only about protecting ecosystems, but also about empowering communities to take part in sustaining them.
As the country celebrates Women’s Month, the message from Sarangani’s waters is clear: when women lead with purpose and communities work together, meaningful change flows—just like the tides that sustain life beneath the sea.