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Messages of Support
High Seas Philippines
Dear Philippine Senators,
As we advocate for the welfare of the high seas, we must recognize that all our marine ecosystems, including our coasts, are interconnected with the high seas. Whatever happens along our coasts affects the high seas, and vice versa.
We urge you to prioritize the passage of the National Coastal Greenbelt Bill to help secure our coasts, and our future. For the welfare of both nature and people.
Masbate
Pichoo and Zappy
We are pet birds, but we understand that the coastal greenbelts are home to our fellow birds. Please pas it now to protect the habitat of our birds and other animals.
Cebu
Gwayne Marc Balisoro
"This person supports the passing of the NCG Bill but message can't be shown due to different format."
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Albezell Navarro
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KRISTOFFER PHILLIP P. GIBERTAS
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Atty. Rose-Liza Eisma-Osorio
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Illiah Kimberly L. Malicay
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Lex C. Zulieta
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Kate Alysabelle S. Castro
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Cherbin B. Presa
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David D. Angelo
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Arvhelyn C. Litang
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Andreu Bayongasan
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Annadel S. Cabanban
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Panatang Luntian Coalition
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Gizelle A. Batomataque
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Evelyn R. Bucad
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Francisca Anne Zarco
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Global Mangrove Alliance Philippines
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Hannah Erica G. Tagupa
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Diosa Marie M. Aguila-Aguirre
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No province selected
HONEY LOU B. TALIDANO
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No province selected
Jeremiah D. Manallo
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Jeremiah T. Magsayo
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John Miguel B. Cortes
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Johnny Alarcon
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Joseph Luchavez
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Roberto Ballon
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Kevin John Edis
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Leo Anthony C. Castro
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Francine Norvic Y. Pailagao
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Aser Musa
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Liezl G. Batocael
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Melba Acotanza
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Hon. Riza G. Pamorada
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Mae Chatto
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Nathalie Kyrah L. Mostiero
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Mark David S. De Guzman
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LAURO REUBEN C. DELAS LLAGAS, ESA
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ONE PAWIKAN INITIATIVE
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Peter Reyes
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Mary Queen R. Agdalipe
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Ahmir Renzo E. Alarcado
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Mike Angelo A. Faina, LPT
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Sean Paul Manalo
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Elli Tabile Delos Reyes
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Matthew Vincent Tabilog
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Genea Nichole Cortez
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Steven Jake Condes
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Christian Jake S. Tabara
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Ely Cruz
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Bernard John Prodenciado
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Jun Rey Tabarno
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JOYCE E. SIERRA
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JOHN KIM C. PARIOL
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CHARLES JOSEPH O. NICOLAS
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ROLANEL L. ESCOBIA
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JETRO PAJO
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James Bert S. Jumilgo
Dear Mr. President,
Ako si James Bert S. Jumilgo, isang residente sa natatanging Bantayan group of Islands na matatagpuan sa hilagang bahagi ng Cebu.
Bilang anak ng mangingisda, nakikiisa ako sa panawagan na ipasa ang National Coastal Green Belt Bill. Batid ko na isa itong makabuluhang polisiya na may mabuting layunin para sa kapakanan ng kabuhayan, kaligtasan, at kaginhawaan ng bawat komunidad na konektado sa katubigan ng ating arkipelago.
Ang pagpapanatili sa maayus at tamang konserbasyon sa coastal ecosystems kagaya ng Bakhawan, bahura, at lusay, ay isang aksyon sa pagpapanatili ng dignidad at pagmamahal ng bawat Filipino sa kanyang henerasyon at kapaligiran.
Respectfully,
James Bert Jumilgo
No province selected
Atty. Charlo DC. Paredes
Atty. Charlo de la Costa Paredes
No province selected
Leo Anthony C. Castro
Dear Mr. President Bongbong Marcos,
As you may know, coastal greenbelts are composed of mangrove and beach forests. These forests are remarkable ecosystems that serve as home to a wide range of terrestrial, aerial, and marine biodiversity.
These forests shield our coastal communities during typhoons and storm surges. These forests serve as nursery grounds for local crustaceans, invertebrates, and fish, which are vital to the livelihoods of our fisherfolk and coastal communities. Additionally, these forests help mitigate global warming as they sequester massive amounts of carbon from the atmosphere.
These forests are crucial to the survival not just of coastal communities but of all Filipinos. As an archipelagic country, we thrive when our coasts thrive.
You have the power to leave a legacy that will show millions of Filipinos that you cared for them—for a better, more resilient, and more sustainable future for all.
Thank you very much. The Filipino people are hoping for your kind consideration.
Sincerely,
Leo Anthony C. Castro
Negros Oriental
Parker Shane L. Manalaysay
Dear Mr. President,
I am Parker Shane Limaco Manalaysay, Youth Ambassador for the High Seas Alliance. I write to respectfully urge you to certify the National Coastal Greenbelt Bill as urgent and priority legislation for the 20th Congress.
The Critical Need
The Philippines faces an unprecedented convergence of environmental challenges. Our coastal communities—home to over 60% of our population—stand on the frontlines of climate change, experiencing increasingly devastating typhoons, storm surges, and rising sea levels. Meanwhile, our marine ecosystems, which sustain millions of Filipino livelihoods, continue to degrade at alarming rates.
The Solution: Coastal Greenbelts
Coastal greenbelts, comprising mangrove and beach forests, represent one of nature's most powerful defense systems. These remarkable ecosystems deliver multiple critical benefits:
Climate Resilience: Mangrove forests reduce wave heights by up to 75% and storm surge levels by up to one meter, providing natural protection that far exceeds the cost-effectiveness of seawalls and other artificial barriers.
Economic Security: These forests serve as vital nursery grounds for fish, crustaceans, and marine invertebrates that form the backbone of our fishing industry—supporting over 1.6 million Filipino fisherfolk and their families.
Climate Action: Mangroves sequester carbon at rates 3-10 times higher than terrestrial forests, making them invaluable allies in our fight against climate change while generating potential carbon credit revenues for local communities.
Biodiversity Conservation: These ecosystems support extraordinary biodiversity, serving as critical habitat for hundreds of endemic species while maintaining the ecological balance our coastal waters depend upon.
The Opportunity
By certifying this bill as urgent, you have the opportunity to establish the Philippines as a global leader in nature-based climate solutions. This legislation would create a comprehensive framework for protecting and restoring our coastal ecosystems while generating sustainable livelihoods for our most vulnerable communities.
A Legacy of Leadership
Mr. President, your administration has the power to secure a more resilient future for generations of Filipinos. The National Coastal Greenbelt Bill represents more than environmental policy—it embodies our commitment to protecting the communities who call our coastlines home and ensuring that our archipelagic nation thrives in harmony with the seas that surround us.
The Filipino people look to your leadership in this critical moment. I respectfully urge you to prioritize this transformative legislation that will demonstrate your administration's unwavering commitment to environmental stewardship, climate resilience, and the welfare of all Filipinos.
Thank you for your time and consideration. I remain hopeful for your support of this vital initiative.
Respectfully yours,
Parker Shane L. Manalaysay
Youth Ambassador
High Seas Alliance
Negros Oriental
Mangrove Matters PH
Your Excellency,
We, the members of Mangrove Matters Philippines (MMPH), write to you with great urgency regarding the National Coastal Greenbelt (NCG) Bill. As a youth-led organization dedicated to coastal conservation, we respectfully urge you to certify this critical legislation as urgent to expedite its passage.
The Philippines faces an escalating climate crisis, with our archipelagic nation experiencing increasingly frequent and intense typhoons each year. Our coastal communities—home to millions of Filipinos—bear the brunt of these climate impacts, suffering devastating losses of life, property, and livelihoods. The NCG Bill represents a vital tool in our nation's climate adaptation and disaster risk reduction strategy.
As young Filipinos, we represent the generation that will inherit the consequences of today's environmental decisions. Youth are among the most vulnerable to climate impacts, yet we refuse to remain passive. We are actively seeking solutions and advocating for policies that will secure a sustainable future for all Filipinos.
The urgency of this matter cannot be overstated. Every typhoon season that passes without adequate coastal protection costs more Filipino lives and further damages our economy. The National Coastal Greenbelt Bill offers a science-based, cost-effective solution that addresses both immediate disaster risk reduction needs and long-term climate resilience.
We humbly request that you exercise your constitutional authority to re-file the NCG Bill and certify it as urgent for the incoming 20th Congress to prioritize its swift passage. Our coastal communities cannot afford further delays in implementing this crucial protection measure.
Your Excellency, by certifying this bill as urgent, you have the opportunity to leave behind a lasting and meaningful legacy. As leader of an archipelagic nation blessed with over 36,000 kilometers of coastline—one of the longest in the world—your decisive action on coastal protection will be remembered for generations to come. History will honor you as a President who recognized the interconnection between environmental stewardship and the welfare of the Filipino people, someone who cared deeply for our planet and prioritized the lives and safety of millions of coastal Filipinos who call our shores home.
The youth of today are counting on decisive leadership today. We trust in your commitment to protecting Filipino lives and building a more resilient Philippines for future generations.
Thank you for your time and consideration of this critical matter.
To restoring mangrove forests with you,
MANGROVE MATTERS PH
No province selected
Marites Ramos-Castro
Marites Ramos-Castro
No province selected
Galaxy C. Javier
I am writing to you today as a concerned advocate to voice the profound importance of our nation's mangrove ecosystems and to urgently advocate for stronger federal protection policies to safeguard these invaluable natural assets.
Mangroves are not merely coastal trees; they are foundational pillars of our coastal resilience and economic well-being. Despite their immense value, our mangrove ecosystems face increasing threats from coastal development, aquaculture expansion, pollution, and the accelerating impacts of climate change, including rising sea levels and more frequent severe storms. While existing policies offer some protection, their implementation and enforcement often fall short, leading to continued degradation and loss.
Galaxy C. Javier
No province selected
Humanist Alliance Philippines International (HAPI)
Dear Mr. President,
The Humanist Alliance Philippines International (HAPI), a not-for-profit community comprising progressive humanists, with the majority of our members residing in the Philippines, writes to you today with an urgent appeal concerning the critical role of mangroves in protecting our communities from devastating floods.
Our members, especially those living in coastal areas like Solid Baybay, Batangas City, and Bulacan, have witnessed firsthand the escalating threat of flooding. We know that mangroves are not just nurseries for marine life; they are our natural barriers against the wrath of the sea. It is even very timely now because we can see the devastating effects of typhoon Crising. Their dense root systems, trunks, and canopies effectively reduce the force of oncoming waves and storm surges, significantly lessening the impact of coastal flooding and erosion.
Studies have shown that if our existing mangroves were lost, flooding and damage to people, property, and infrastructure in the Philippines could increase by approximately 25% annually. Our mangroves currently reduce flooding for hundreds of thousands of people each year and avert over $1 billion in damages to residential and industrial property. These forests act as a vital green infrastructure, often more effectively and efficiently than man-made structures, in dissipating floodwaters and preventing sediment accumulation that can worsen flooding in low-lying areas.
For us humanists, the protection of vital mangrove ecosystems is a direct application of our core principles: reason, compassion, and the pursuit of human well-being. We believe in our moral responsibility as stewards of the Earth, ensuring its health and sustainability for all generations. The devastating impact of floods on human lives and livelihoods is a profound humanitarian concern, and by advocating for the National Coastal Greenbelt Bill, we champion evidence-based solutions that promote the safety of human communities.
We are not just asking for the protection of trees; we are asking for the protection of our homes, our livelihoods, and the very lives of our people from the escalating threat of climate change-induced flooding.
Mr. President, we urge you to include the National Coastal Greenbelt Bill in your administration’s list of priority legislation and certify it as urgent. Swift action can still enable us to restore our degraded mangrove forests and safeguard what remains of these indispensable natural defenses.
This is your opportunity to secure the safety and resilience of our coastal communities for generations to come. We, the younger generation and all members of HAPI, stand with you in this crucial endeavor.
Thank you very much.
Sincerely,
Humanist Alliance Philippines International (HAPI)
No province selected
Sustainable Initiatives for Biodiversity, Ocean, and Land (SIBOL)
Dear Mr. President,
On behalf of Sustainable Initiatives for Biodiversity, Ocean, and Land (SIBOL) and a broad coalition of advocates, we respectfully urge your immediate attention to the National Coastal Greenbelt Bill.
As an archipelagic nation, the Philippines faces increasing threats from climate change, particularly intensifying storms and coastal erosion. A recent DILG circular highlights the critical need for greenbelt zones of mangroves and beach forests. While local efforts are commendable, a national law is vital for coordinated, sustained protection across all our coastal communities.
This bill offers a crucial, nature-based solution to these pressing challenges. It aims to provide vital natural protection by establishing robust greenbelts against storm surges and coastal flooding. Furthermore, it seeks to enhance our ecological health by restoring crucial marine habitats and directly supporting the livelihoods of our fisherfolk. Crucially, the bill also contributes to our national climate change goals by leveraging "blue carbon" sequestration for both mitigation and adaptation.
Mr. President, your leadership is absolutely crucial at this juncture. We respectfully appeal for you to include the National Coastal Greenbelt Bill in your priority legislative agenda and/or certify it as urgent for the 20th Congress. Your decisive action on this vital piece of legislation will secure a more resilient, environmentally sound, and prosperous future for the Philippines.
Thank you for your invaluable time and consideration of this urgent matter. We look forward to your favorable action.
Most respectfully,
Hillary Anne Cruz
Sustainable Initiatives for Biodiversity, Ocean, and Land (SIBOL)
No province selected
Lyca Sandrea Castro
Lyca Sandrea Castro (Western Philippines University)
No province selected
Anonymous
Dear Mr. President,
Please preserve our mangroves and please support programs that give protection to our mangroves and even increase them (in the most scientifically sound way). We cannot take them for granted. We rely on them more than we know.
Maxine Elpa
No province selected
Anonymous
Appeal to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
Mr. President,
I come to you not just as a student or researcher, but as someone who has walked through the mangrove forests of Malamawi Island in Basilan—listened to the stories of the people who depend on them, and studied the life they support. Mangroves there are more than just trees; they are shields against storms, sources of food and medicine, and a part of the community’s identity. But these ecosystems are under threat. I believe the National Coastal Greenbelt Bill is a chance to protect these forests, not just for science or policy—but for the communities who have cared for them for generations. Please, help us turn this bill into a reality. It’s a step toward a safer, more resilient, and more hopeful future for our coastal areas.
With respect and hope,
NORVIE
No province selected
Diosa Marie M. Aguila-Aguirre
Dear Mr. President,
I am Diosa Marie Aguila-Aguirre from Batangas province and now residing in Makati City. Both my home province and my current city increasingly face severe flooding, a common challenge for our nation's urban and coastal areas due to extensive concrete development. We believe these regions, and many others, would significantly benefit from well-maintained coastal mangrove greenbelts.
Mangroves are vital ecosystems that provide indispensable life support. They act as natural buffers against storm surges and rising sea levels, crucial for mitigating floods like those from Typhoon Crising and the annual Habagat rains. These greenbelts maintain coastal water quality, serve as crucial nurseries for marine life, and enhance the resilience of our environments. Their protective functions are equally vital for developed areas, offering a sustainable solution to environmental challenges, better than the concrete flood control projects.
Our communities in Batangas and Makati are highly susceptible to climate change, evident in the intensifying frequency and severity of extreme weather events. The escalating impacts on livelihoods, infrastructure, and public safety underscore a critical truth: while the time to act was years ago, decisive action is urgently needed now.
Therefore, we respectfully implore you, Mr. President, to prioritize the National Coastal Greenbelt Bill within your administration's legislative agenda and certify it as urgent. Such an action would build upon a legacy of environmental foresight, securing our coastlines and communities for generations. By acting decisively now, we can restore and safeguard these vital ecosystems for our present and future.
Mr. President, this moment offers a powerful opportunity to secure a more resilient future for every precious life in our vulnerable coastal and urban areas.
Thank you very much.
Sincerely,
Diosa Marie Aguila-Aguirre
No province selected
Shanelle Ann L. Belarde
Dear Mr. President,
As a student, I highly support the National Coastal Greenbelt Bill for it is a natural barrier that protects us Filipinos from storm surges, floods, and coastal erosion. From what I have observed while visiting mangrove areas specifically, in Sagay Suyac Mangrove Island in Negros Occidental, I had learned that mangroves are really important because it serves as a bio-shields when typhoon hits a coastal communities. In additional, because of the mangroves there's livelihood and food protection that provides the communities.
Nature saves us, so we should save what saves us. 🌱
Sincerely,
Shanelle Ann L. Belarde
CHMSU, Researchers
No province selected
Marlo la p
Dear Mr President, please accept this National Coastal Greenbelt Bill for the welfare on our nation. This could also help especially those marginalized people. I stand with, and firmly believe that those people who made this bill have no less than other intentions but except for the good and the welfare of our country and for the nation as a whole. I really do hope to take this into consideration, standing as a democratic nation. Thank you once again for your dedication to our country
Sincerely,
Marlo la O’
No province selected
Mareshah Magbanua
Dear Mr. President,
I am Mareshah Karnaim R. Magbanua, 22, from Quezon, Bukidnon. I may come from a landlocked part of the country, but I stand in solidarity with fellow Filipinos and environmental advocates in earnestly urging your good office to give priority attention and immediate action to the passage of the National Coastal Greenbelt (NCG) Bill.
I believe the significance of this bill—its capacity to protect coastal communities from storms and floods, restore ecosystems, and strengthen fisheries—has already been thoroughly presented in other appeals. But I write to offer a personal plea.
I have relatives in Cebu, and friends and loved ones whose families live in Dipolog, Zamboanga del Norte—areas where mangrove and beach forest conservation would mean greater protection and hope in the face of intensifying climate threats. I write not only for them, but for every Filipino whose life depends on the balance and beauty of our coastal ecosystems.
More than just a policy issue, I believe this is a sacred responsibility. As someone who sees caring for the environment as a way of honoring the Creator and Sustainer of life, I believe we are given the task and the privilege to protect, restore, and even multiply what has been entrusted to us. As it is written in Psalm 24:1, “The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it, the world and all who live in it.”
We are called not just to survive but to flourish in a way that reflects His glory—through just, life-giving, and sustainable decisions. This bill is one such decision.
Mr. President, may your leadership help bring to fruition this deeply anticipated and prayed-for vision. May you become part of this shared Filipino dream to build a safer, greener, and more life-honoring country—one where both human and non-human lives are cared for with reverence and responsibility.
Together with those campaigning for the passage of this bill, it is my utmost hope that our pleadings and collective dreams will be met with full and ardent support from your office.
Sincerely,
Mareshah Karnaim R. Magbanua
Quezon, Bukidnon
#DearMrPresidentPH #CoastalGreenbeltNow
No province selected
Niño Mark M. Bantiloc
Dear Mr. President,
I am Niño Mark M. Bantiloc, an early career professional in the field of environmental science from the province of Benguet. This letter is written with the intent of sharing my lived experience as to why the National Coastal Greenbelt Bill should be passed into law.
I was born and reared in Baguio City, known for its relatively cooler temperature and the presence of pine trees. Growing up, I've come to learn the importance of the environment, which made me take a related course. However, as someone from the Cordillera, my practical knowledge really only covered terrestrial ecosystems hence I joined Mangrove Matters PH, an organization which taught me all about mangroves.
Mangroves are foundation species, meaning entire ecosystems are structured around their presence and that they are able to support a wide array of organisms. To us indigenous peoples of the Cordillera, mangroves take on roles similar to that of native terrestrial trees -- except mangroves are much more productive. This productivity is expressed in terms of their ability to sequester carbon despite living in nutrient-poor conditions.
Another point that is rather relevant in the current situation of the country is the ability of mangroves to protect coastal regions and the communities that reside on them. Whereas terrestrial trees prevent flooding and erosion by having robust root systems and absorbing water in their trunks, mangroves do so by reducing wave energy and sediment erosion.
With the Philippines being in the Typhoon Belt, combined with the effects of climate change in intensifying meteorological phenomena, mangroves serve as the first line of defense in protecting our coastal communities, which represents the majority of the Philippines' population.
I sincerely hope that you can help pass the National Coastal Greenbelt Bill into law as it only serves to promote the interest of the Filipino people.
In restoring mangrove forests with you,
Niño Mark M. Bantiloc
No province selected
Markus Tan
"This person supports the passing of the NCG Bill but message can't be shown."
No province selected
Charles Joseph O. Nicolas
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., para saan nga ba ang pag-unlad ng Pilipinas bilang isang arkipelagikong bansa? para ba sa bawat Pilipino, o para lang sa mga nasa itaas?
Habang sunod-sunod ang malalakas na bagyo ngayong panahon ng habagat, Crising, Dante, Emong, sino ang tunay na nagpoprotekta sa mamamayan? Ang mga bakawan at likas na coastal at terrestrial ecosystems, ngunit nasaan na sila? Pinutol. Giniba. Pinalitan ng konkretong imprastraktura.
Panahon na po upang pahalagahan at isabatas ang National Coastal Greenbelt Bill! Hindi bukas, hindi mamaya, bagkus ngayon. Ang mga bakawan ay hindi hadlang sa kaunlaran, sila ang haligi ng kaligtasan ng mga baybaying komunidad.
Pangulo, panindigan po natin ang tunay na pag-unlad, yaong hindi nagsasakripisyo ng kalikasan at buhay ng karaniwang Pilipino.
Charles Joseph O. Nicolas
Mangrove Matters PH
No province selected
Symbiosis - The UPLB Biological Society
July 23, 2025
Dear Mr. President,
We, the members of Symbiosis - the UPLB Biological Society, want to express our utmost support to the urgent prioritization of the National Coastal Greenbelt (NCG) Bill. As a student organization in the University of the Philippines Los Baños who advocates for the integration of Biology to understand ourselves and our environments better, we recognize that the approval of this bill could have a positive impact on the development of the Philippines in multiple aspects.
First, as an organization which focuses on the life sciences, we fully advocate for the conservation of the Philippines’ biological diversity. If the NCG bill gets implemented, that means that there is a big potential for our mangrove ecosystems to thrive again, and would mean that hundreds of flora and fauna who live in these forests would not lose their habitats. Especially with the impacts of climate change, which we’ve been seeing in full force since last year, it’s crucial for us Filipinos to protect and conserve the other forms of life living on our shores.
The second reason why we want to support this bill is because there is a significant part of our population that relies on our coasts for their livelihood. Our coastal communities would be affected especially with the loss of their natural resources since there are not enough laws to protect the ecosystems they’re residing in. Our coastal communities would lose their means for food and clean water, and the deforestation of our mangroves would also mean that they would be more vulnerable to the effects of climate change.
Speaking of climate change, Mr. President, you’ve seen the casualties that arose from the worsening effects from our natural hazards. You’ve seen the flooding of
multiple cities, the disasters and tragedies from several typhoons especially Kristine and Carina, and you’ve seen the millions of Filipinos suffering from these disasters. It is especially due to these reasons that you must approve this bill as quickly as possible—with your support to this bill, you can help rebuild the Philippines’ own ecosystems and biodiversity. There are lots of livelihoods that can be saved just by safeguarding our coasts, and it also serves as a way for the Philippines to develop not in an artificial way, but also in a more sustainable, culturally suitable way.
Implementing the NCG bill may not look significant as of now, but the future generations of Filipinos will thank our current government for rebuilding a green future for them. We, the members of Symbiosis, are urging you to approve this bill because we know that millions of lives—whether human, flora, or fauna—would be saved by this decision.
We are against the idea of making the future Filipinos suffer by inaction. We believe that siding with the conservation of our mangroves and coastal forests aligns directly with our organizational mandate—that a deep understanding and appreciation of life would enable humanity to develop not only our human potential but also the potential of our blue planet.
We thank you for your time and consideration of our plea. We hope and trust that you will make the right decision for the benefit of our countrymen.
To life and to coexistence,
Symbiosis - The UPLB Biological Society
(PDF version: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1tVGr7Or121GntY430E7-jcfXAjy3y0Fc/view?usp=sharing)
No province selected
Laudato Si Marine
No province selected
Venice Alyson V. Unabia
Dear Mr. President,
I am Venice, a concerned citizen from Cebu and an environmental advocate, particularly for the protection and restoration of our country’s mangrove ecosystems. I am writing to strongly urge you to certify the National Greenbelt Bill as a priority measure.
As the rainy season begins and typhoons loom once more, our communities are again left vulnerable. It is no longer a question of if disaster will strike, but when and how prepared we are to face it. The truth is, we cannot build a truly resilient nation if we continue to degrade and neglect our natural protective barriers, especially our coastal greenbelts.
I still carry the trauma of Typhoon Odette. Every time it rains heavily, I find myself anxious, fearing for my life and for the safety of my loved ones. I witnessed firsthand how nature, when stripped of its protective layers, can turn deadly. Now imagine an entire country stripped of its mangroves, seagrass beds, and coastal vegetation, all cleared to make way for reclamation projects, industrial zones, and short-term developments. Without these natural barriers, storm surges hit harder, flooding becomes deadlier, and the most vulnerable — our fisherfolk, coastal dwellers, and low-income families — left with little to no protection. These communities, who have the least resources to recover, are the first to suffer when nature’s defenses are lost to misguided development.
Our mangroves and seagrasses are more than just plants, they are important components of an interconnected system that supports marine biodiversity, mitigates the impacts of storms, buffers against flooding, stores carbon, and sustains local economies. They are habitats for precious marine life and sources of livelihood for countless families. They are indeed nature’s frontline defense against the worsening effects of climate change.
Yet these ecosystems are still being sacrificed in the name of unchecked capitalism that paved over for reclamation projects, destroyed by polluters, and treated as obstacles to profit. Without strong and enforceable policies, our natural defenses will continue to be degraded by those who benefit at the expense of the many. We urgently need to draw firm boundaries and hold accountable those who degrade our coastal greenbelts.
Mr. Marcos, this is not just about the present, it is about breaking the cycle of vulnerability for future Filipino generations. The National Greenbelt Bill offers us a chance to shift our path, from reaction to prevention, from destruction to stewardship. Stewardship is not a new concept, it is a wisdom we have always known from our ancestors. It’s time we remember.
There is a saying: “We cannot protect what we do not know.” And so, with all due respect, we urge you to take time to truly understand why we are pushing for this, to study our country’s natural defense systems, listen to communities on the frontlines, and learn from science and local wisdom alike. It’s never too late to deepen awareness, and we believe that informed leadership is key to lasting change.
We need SYSTEMS THINKING now more than ever, an approach that sees the connections between ecological well-being, disaster resilience, public health, food security, and our economy. By protecting our greenbelts, we are not only protecting our environment; we are protecting our people, Filipinos. This is an opportunity for your administration to champion climate resilience, environmental justice, and intergenerational responsibility.
I appeal to you as someone who has lived through the consequences of inaction, and as someone who continues to advocate for the future of our communities and ecosystems. Certify the Greenbelt Bill as urgent. Let this be a legacy of leadership that listens to the voice of nature and defends the dignity and safety of every Filipino.
With the urgency of the tides and the strength of our roots,
Venice Unabia
Mangrove Matters PH
Cebu Province, Philippines
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RHODA H. ALEGRE
Dear President Marcos:
We can take decisive steps regarding the challenges of flooding, storms, and disasters in the Philippines.
First, let us move away from the mentality of "This is the Philippines; we will endure storms and floods. There is nothing we can do." "We are resilient; we will recover."
We can take action; you possess the power and authority, dear President. The Congress, Senate, and Local Government Units (LGUs) are fully functional and ready. I urge you to instruct them to act not only during disaster events but also proactively before calamities occur.
Secondly, your ADMINISTRATION should LEAD the populace in waste management. Reduce the use of plastic products. Enforce a strict ban on littering in all areas, particularly in our esteros, streams, rivers, and seas. Engage every barangay, all 42,046 of them throughout the Philippines, with 42,046 Barangay Captains and multiply that by 10 officials each. We can address all these problems at the grassroots level, dear President.
Thirdly, let us cultivate a "political will" to spearhead and advocate for the "Green Revolution," where we collectively commit to preserving our mountains and plains. Let us plant trees and vegetation. If every Filipino contributes, within the remaining three years of your term, we can plant over 160 million trees that will reach heights of 10 to 12 feet.
Fourth, ask Congress to allocate substantial funding to PAG-ASA, DOST, and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), where numerous skilled Filipino scientists can apply their expertise to address and mitigate issues related to waste, our deforested mountains, and the warming seas and oceans that give rise to severe storms.
Mr. President, I refuse to succumb to feelings of helplessness and despair for my beloved nation.
Please, take action now.
Maraming salamat po.
Rhoda H. Alegre
Ordinary Citizen
Taxpayer
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Davao del Sur State College
Protecting the mangroves means protecting people’s lives especially the coastal communities. If we do not act now, we deprive the Filipino people of their safety from inevitable disasters in the future. Not paying the price now is tantamount to accepting the loss that we will acquire for not making proactive actions.
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Jayson M. Salenga- Sasmuan Pampanga Coastal Wetlands
Kagalang-galang na Ginoong Pangulo,
Ako po si Jayson M. Salenga, Tagapamahala ng Sasmuan Pampanga Coastal Wetlands, na kinikilalang Ika-8 Ramsar Site ng Pilipinas. Ako po ay magalang na sumusulat upang ipahayag ang mariing pagsuporta at panawagan para sa agarang pagpasa ng National Coastal Greenbelt Bill.
Bilang isang bayan na matagal nang nakararanas ng mga sakunang dulot ng tubig gaya ng pagbaha, pagguho ng baybayin, at storm surge, malinaw na napatunayan na ang mga bakawan at coastal greenbelt ay nagsisilbing pangunahing pananggalang ng ating mga pamayanan. Bukod sa pagbibigay-proteksyon sa buhay at kabuhayan ng mga tao, ito rin ay mahalaga sa pagpapanatili ng produktibong pangisdaan, kalikasan, at pangmatagalang katatagan laban sa pagbabago ng klima.
Ang inyong pamumuno at pagtangkilik sa panukalang batas na ito ay magiging mahalagang hakbang upang matiyak ang kaligtasan at kaunlaran ng ating mga baybaying pamayanan.
Lubos na gumagalang,
Jayson M. Salenga
Tagapamahala ng Latian
Sasmuan Pampanga Coastal Wetlands (SPCW)
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Ana Paula Lim-Caballero
"This person supports the passing of the NCG Bill but message can't be shown due to different format."
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Rickie Marx G. Ronamo ng State University of Northern Negros
Sana po patuloy ang mga magagandang balita tungkol sa paglaganap ng mga protektadong likas na yamang lugar sa buong pilipinas. Ang mga ginagawang hakbang tulad nila Mangrove Matters PH at Oceana ay isa sa mga pinakaimportanteng gawa tungo sa tinatawag na sustainability. Bilang isang studyante ng Fisheries sektor at tagasubaysubay ng kanilang mga gawa sa social media at noong isang event sa unibersidad namin pumunta pa si Sir Matthew para maging speaker, nabigyan niya pa ako ng isang libro dahil nakatama ako sa kanyang tanong. Nakasabi ako sa sarili ko gusto ko din maging katulad niya/nila na inaalala ang konserbasyon ng mga tanging likas na yaman ng ating bansa, sila ay isa sa mga inspirasyon ko bakit gusto ko rin sa kinabukasan ko at ng mga susunod sa akin ay maipatuloy ang kanilang mga hakbang at ginawa dahil naniniwala ako na kapag ang mga bata ay namulat kung gaano kaimportante ang likas na yaman, sa lupa at sa karagatan, sila ay magkakaroon ng pakiramdam ng responsibilidad o pananagutan para dito. Dahil kung hindi nila alam at hindi sila mulat, hindi nila ito alam kung paano panatilihin o hindi nila gustong protektahan at pahalagahan , at kung hindi nila gusto, sino na lang ang gagawa nito?From Ridge to Reef, nothing must not be left behind. Sana po ay maiputad na ang National Coastal Greenbelt Bill dahil isa ito sa tinatawag na regulating service ng ating ecosystem kung saan magiging buffer sila sa mga delikadong kalamidad tulad ng malalakas na alon o flood, at makakatulog sa pananatili ng malinis na kalidad ng tubig. Earth provides for us, hence we must protect it. We all have a role and a part as we are stewards of God's creation.
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