Known worldwide for its powdery white beaches and lately, for its polluted waters and six-month closure to tourists, Boracay Island holds another secret that has been a virtual lifesaver to its marine life: the mangrove (“bakawan”) reforestation project. Launched in 2012, the Roots for Boracay project works with the community in Barangay Manoc-Manoc to nurture existing mangroves and plant new ones in a bid to protect Boracay’s coastline from erosion. The mangrove forests, which cover several hectares of Sitio Lugotan’s coastline in the barangay, are part of the Dr. Lucio Tan Legacy Forest Project, whose activities include agroforestry, biodiversity improvement and wildlife protection.

Lalu, G. P. (2018, July 1). Fortifying Boracay's green line of defense: the 'bakawan'. Philippine Daily Inquirer, p. A6.