Nadine Lustre, Christophe Bariou, Roberto Ballon, and other Advocates Call for Mangrove Conservation for The First National Mangrove Youth Summit
- Mangrove Matters PH
- Mar 21
- 3 min read
Updated: Mar 22
Parañaque City, Metro Manila – The First National Mangrove Youth Summit (1NMYS) organized by Mangrove Matters PH, Oceana, Wetlands International Philippines, One Pawikan Initiative, Global Mangrove Alliance - Philippines, and Las Piñas-Parañaque Wetland Park (LPPWP) will take place in one of the country’s Ramsar Sites, Wetlands of International Importance.
The summit will bring together 30 selected mangrove youth advocates from 16 regions across the country to engage in meaningful discussions, workshops, and capacity-building activities to develop a comprehensive campaign plan tao conserve the Philippines’ remaining mangrove forests, aligning with the goals of the Global Mangrove Alliance – halt mangrove loss, restore half of the recent loss, and double protection of existing mangroves by 2030.
The event has garnered support from prominent personalities and advocates who are calling for the urgent protection of mangroves and inspiring young leaders to take action in safeguarding this precious ecosystem.
Nadine Lustre and Christophe Bariou shared their personal connection to mangroves:
Your dedication to mangrove conservation is truly inspiring. Mangroves are more than just trees, they protect the coastlines, provide homes to marine life, and help fight climate change. And both of us have seen this firsthand when we both experienced Typhoon Odette and its devastating aftermath in Siargao. We saw how strong winds and floods destroyed homes and livelihoods but we also saw how mangroves protected communities, serving as natural barriers against storm surges.
Check the full video of support from Nadine and Christophe:
Community leaders also shared their hopes for the youth’s role in mangrove conservation.
Evelyn Bucad, a woman leader in her community and the President of SIPAMACOWA (Siit Palinpinon Mangrove Conservation Walk), emphasized unity in environmental stewardship:
Tayo ay magkakaisa sa pag-aalaga sa ating inang kalikasan, kung gaano natin sila inaalagaan, ‘yan din ang babalik sa atin. Hindi lang tayo ang nakinabang, andami ding hayop napapaloob dito. To all the young leaders out there, patuloy tayo makipaglaban sa pag-alaga sa ating inang kalikasan.
Check the full video of support from Evelyn Bucad:
Roberto “Ka-Dodoy” Ballon, a Ramon Magsaysay Awardee and fisherfolk leader from Zamboanga Sibugay, praised the youth’s efforts on environmental protection:
Ako ay sumaludo at humanga sa mga gawain ng mga kabataan na tulad nito na nangunguna talaga sa pag-aalaga ng ating kalikasan. Alam po natin na ang — itong magandang kalikasan ay nagbibigay sa atin ng magandang kinabukasan at kapaligiran.
Check the full video of support from Ka-Dodoy:
International advocates also sent inspiring messages to the delegates.
Dr. Dominic Wodehouse, the Executive Director of Mangrove Action Project, encourages the youth to get involved in mangrove conservation efforts:
I encourage the youth to get involved in mangrove conservation and mangrove restoration. Why are mangroves so important? I think what we need to think about is first prioritizing conservation and second getting restoration right. We really encourage you to get involved in the summit. Network as much as you can and meet each other and realize there are a lot of support out there.
Check the full video of support from Dr. Dominic Wodehouse:
Ariana Magini, Chair of the Ramsar Youth Working Group and Oceania Regional Representative of Youth Engaged in Wetlands, commended the initiative:
Congratulations for supporting youth as the future of wetlands and you’re helping to implement the Convention on Wetlands’ Youth Resolution. I also think it is really vital that you’re supporting the conservation and restoration of mangroves.
Check the full video of support from Ariana Magini:
The First National Mangrove Youth Summit will take place from March 24 to 25, 2025 in LPPWP, marking a significant step toward integrating youth-led action and involvement into national and global mangrove conservation efforts.
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