Mangrove Matters PH Brings Youth Voice to Sail for Change 2026
- Mangrove Matters PH
- 3 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Author: Ma. Erica Grace Falcon and Parker Shane Manalaysay
As part of the celebration of the Philippines’ Month of the Ocean 2026, youth leaders, environmental advocates, and conservation practitioners gathered at the Las Piñas–Parañaque Wetland Park for Sail for Change 2026: Youth Forum on Wetlands and Ocean Resilience. Anchored on the theme “Sustaining Ocean Health, Saving Our Resilient Nation,” the forum served as a platform for empowering young Filipinos to become active stewards of wetlands, coastal ecosystems, and marine biodiversity.
The event highlighted the critical role of wetlands and coastal ecosystems in strengthening climate resilience, supporting biodiversity, and sustaining the livelihoods of coastal communities. Throughout the forum, speakers shared insights on the interconnected challenges facing the Philippines’ marine environments and the collective action needed to address them.
Among the featured speakers was Leo Anthony Castro, Executive Director of Mangrove Matters PH, who led the session on Youth Engagement and Action. Drawing from his personal journey as a young environmental advocate and marine conservationist, Castro challenged participants to recognize that meaningful environmental action begins with understanding the deep connections between people and nature.
Sharing the story of how his passion for conservation developed from childhood curiosity into community-centered environmental advocacy, Castro emphasized that environmental stewardship is not innate but nurtured through education, exposure, and action. He encouraged participants to move beyond awareness and become active contributors to environmental solutions in their own communities.
During his presentation, Castro discussed the importance of marine ecosystems—including mangroves, seagrass beds, coral reefs, and the open ocean—in protecting coastal communities, regulating climate, and supporting livelihoods. He highlighted the Philippines’ position as one of the world's most biodiverse countries and underscored the urgent need to safeguard these ecosystems amid growing threats such as habitat destruction, pollution, unsustainable development, and climate change.
More importantly, Castro emphasized that conservation must remain people-centered. He shared the ongoing work of Mangrove Matters PH in advancing science communication, youth engagement, policy advocacy, and nature-based solutions. Through campaigns such as Atin ang Kinse, which advocates for the protection of municipal waters for small-scale fisherfolk, and the push for the National Coastal Greenbelt Act, Mangrove Matters PH continues to champion both environmental protection and social justice. One of the key messages of the session was the inseparable relationship between healthy ecosystems and thriving communities. As Castro reminded participants:
"Ocean health and community well-being are two sides of the same coin—they may come from different sides, but they cannot be separated."
The forum also featured presentations from environmental practitioners and conservation advocates. Mr. Mark David De Guzman of One Pawikan Initiative discussed the ecological importance of Manila Bay through a ridge-to-reef perspective, while Ms. Kisha Muaña of Wetlands International Philippines explored the role of wetlands and mangroves in building community resilience. Mr. Christopher Villarin of the Las Piñas–Parañaque Wetland Park Protected Area Management Office highlighted the significance of the park as one of Metro Manila’s remaining coastal greenbelts and emphasized the role of youth in conservation efforts.
In the latter half of the event, participants joined the Youth for Wetlands in Action Workshop, where they worked in groups to identify local environmental challenges and develop youth-led solutions grounded in advocacy, citizen science, environmental education, and community engagement. The workshop concluded with a Youth Commitment Circle, where participants shared personal and collective pledges to protect wetlands and marine ecosystems.
For Mangrove Matters PH, the forum reaffirmed a belief that has guided the organization since its founding: young people are not merely future leaders waiting for their turn to act. They are already shaping conversations, influencing policies, and mobilizing communities today.
As Castro concluded during his presentation:
“We are not the leaders of tomorrow; we are the co-leaders of today.”
Through initiatives that bridge science, policy, and community action, Mangrove Matters PH remains committed to empowering the next generation of ocean defenders and ensuring that the voices of both youth and coastal communities are heard in the movement for a more resilient and sustainable Philippines.
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