Mangrove Matters PH's Science Communication Lead Advocates for Youth-Led Conservation at Major National Forums
- Mangrove Matters PH
- Jun 22
- 2 min read
Metro Manila, Philippines – Genea Nichole "Ney" Cortez, Science Communication Lead of Mangrove Matters PH (MMPH), has been actively representing the organization and amplifying youth voices in environmental conservation across multiple high-profile national science policy forums this June.
Showcasing Youth Impact at NAST Forest Restoration Forum
On June 20, 2025, MMPH was invited to participate in a prestigious Science Policy Forum on Forest Restoration organized by the National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST), the Philippines' highest advisory body to the government and science community. Cortez represented MMPH at this critical forum, which was conducted through NAST's Special Concerns Program Technical Working Group on National Resource Management Issues and the Economy, led by Academician Rex Victor O. Cruz.
The forum presented commissioned research results on forest restoration, featuring presentations from Global Mangrove Alliance - Philippines (GMAP) members, including Dr. Dixon Gevaña of the Forestry Development Center, University of the Philippines Los Baños. Dr. Gevaña shared insights on restoring degraded mangrove ecosystems and emphasized a comprehensive rehabilitation checklist focusing on the right species, place, timing, nursery production, planting methods, and most importantly, the right people.
Dr. Annadel Cabanban, Director of Wetlands International Philippines and main convenor of GMAP, served as the discussant for Dr. Gevaña's paper. Dr. Cabanban highlighted the critical need for crafting policies, programs, and road-mapping for the blue-carbon policy agenda. She also shared GMAP's ambitious 2030 targets: to halt loss, double protection, and restore half of approximately 409,150 hectares of mangroves that have been lost since 1996.
During the open forum, Cortez actively engaged by asking how youth can contribute to policy forums and forest restoration efforts. Dr. Gevaña recognized MMPH's policy advocacy work, noting the organization's assertive approach in lobbying bills to the Senate of the Philippines and their recent efforts at Malacañang to prioritize the National Coastal Management Bill for the 20th Congress.
Blue Carbon Advocacy Through Science Communication
Two days earlier, on June 18, 2025, Cortez delivered a compelling 10-minute dash-talk at the Mangrove Blue Carbon Roadmap to 2030 and Beyond (MBCR 2030+) forum at Century Park Hotel, Manila. The event, spearheaded by the University of the Philippines Los Baños Forestry Development Center, focused on future-proofing livelihoods and technologies for mangrove conservation.
In her presentation, Cortez drew a powerful analogy, describing how "Mangrove Matters PH is like a blue carbon" – an organization that captures awareness and stores potential for conservation. She outlined how MMPH captures awareness through:
Advocacy initiatives
Local and international active engagements
Educational programs
Nature-based solutions
Cortez demonstrated how MMPH stores potential for impact, highlighting the success of the First National Mangrove Summit held in March 2025 as evidence of the organization's growing influence.
Building Future Environmental Leaders
Both forums featured participation from MMPH interns Bernard Prodenciado, Charles Joseph Nicolas, and Paolo Miguel Alpay, showcasing the organization's commitment to developing the next generation of environmental advocates.
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