Community-Based Mangrove Management in the Philippines: Experience and Challenges in the Context of Changing Climate

Abstract

This chapter synthesizes the experiences and challenges in community-based mangrove management in the Philippines in the context of changing climate. Over the past three decades, mangrove rehabilitation and protection has received considerable attention considering its declining condition vis-a-vis its ability to provide a mix of environmental goods and services including the potential to reduce climate change impacts and disaster risks. Community-based approach was lauded as a sustainable strategy to revert degraded mangroves back to their once verdant condition. However, major issues emerged in view of unclear access and utilization rights of local communities over the mangrove trees they planted and the poor ecological outcomes of many rehabilitation projects. The chapter recommends key strategies to overcome these challenges toward a more sustainable community-based mangrove management in the country while fostering climate-resilient local communities.