Since 2003, the Philippine Association of Marine Science has repeatedly called on the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and NGOs to stop planting (Rhizophora species) in zones dominated by (Sonneratia alba) and bungalon/piapi (Avicennia marina). Worse is when seagrass beds are planted over with mangroves, in effect replacing these important habitats and depriving marine animals such as (rabbitfish) of their homes. Yet the ecologically unsound practices of planting the wrong species in the wrong sites continue because the big size and year-round availability of propagules make them easy to source and to plant, in contrast to the small seeds of and which require a nursery phase.

Primavera, J. H. (2010, March 2). Plant mangroves yes, but follow scientific guidelines. Philippine Daily Inquirer, p. A10.