BALANGA CITY (PIA) — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and San Miguel Corporation (SMC) Global Power Foundation, Inc. have partnered to expand mangrove conservation efforts in Abucay, Bataan.
Under Project Transdisciplinary Approach for Resilience and Environmental Sustainability through Multi-stakeholder Engagement (TRANSFORM), the newly-signed Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) covers the adoption of a three-hectare mangrove area in Sitio Bakawan, Barangay Wawa.
This expands the previously adopted five-hectare site in the same area, bringing the total conservation area to eight hectares.
Project components include mangrove planting, nursery development, monitoring and evaluation, community-led aquaculture, and environmental education campaigns.
The MOA was signed during the Project TRANSFORM colloquium by DENR Secretary Raphael Lotilla, Bataan Governor Jose Enrique Garcia III, Abucay Mayor Erik Martel, SMC Global Power Foundation, Inc. Deputy Executive Director Ronald Allan Sumague, and Samahan ng Mananahong sa Sitio Bakawan Chairperson Roderick Caraig.
DENR Regional Executive Director Ralph Pablo emphasized that the partnership is aligned with DENR Administrative Order No. 15-90, which promotes stakeholder participation in mangrove reforestation efforts.
“This partnership reflects our shared commitment to protecting Bataan’s coastal ecosystems while empowering local communities. It also supports the broader objectives of Project TRANSFORM, which advocates for transdisciplinary, science-based, and inclusive approaches to climate resilience and environmental sustainability,” Pablo said.
Through this collaboration, DENR, SMC Global Power Foundation, and partners aim to set a model for community-based environmental management that balances ecosystem conservation with social development. (CLJD/RPQ, PIA Region 3-Bataan)
