Typhoon “Yolanda” in 2013 and the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, among others, have highlighted the importance of mangroves in coastal protection. Of global storm events, the Philippines has the greatest intensity (maximum score of 5 on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Intensity Scale) and number (one-third). Mangroves have therefore captured public imagination—student, NGO, government, religious and business groups plant mangroves themselves or raise money for others to plant. Even the national government planned to allocate P1 billion for mangrove rehabilitation in Yolanda sites. Such massive amounts of taxpayers’ and private funds beg the question: Are the planting protocols science-based?

Primavera, J. H. (2015, February 28). Stop seafront planting of bakhaw propagule. Philippine Daily Inquirer, p. B3.