De Lima to DENR: Halt earth-balling of mangroves

MANILA, Philippines — Mamamayang Liberal Rep. Leila de Lima has called for the suspension of “earth-balling” or relocation of mangroves until the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) crafts a more comprehensive study on the matter.

At a recent House hearing on the DENR’s proposed 2027 budget, De Lima inquired about the status of the department’s Oct. 8, 2025 memorandum providing guidelines for processing requests to earth-ball mangroves pending the completion of a study.

She wondered why the memorandum was issued despite the lack of scientific studies or even consultations.

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De Lima also observed that an “interim operational guidance” has apparently turned into a “de facto policy” allowing the earth-balling of mangroves for flagship infrastructure projects.

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READ: DENR’s ‘earth-balling’ of mangroves questioned

“We understand that there is a technical working group (TWG) that was recently created regarding the earth-balling of mangroves. I am wondering why that memorandum was issued at all, even before consultations, or even before the creation of TWG, or a scientific study. What exactly is the survival rate?” she said.

“All of these things should have been confirmed or verified first before allowing the issuance of this memorandum,” she further pointed out.

Commitment to evaluate

In response, Environment Secretary Juan Miguel Cuna said the department deemed it appropriate at the time to issue the memorandum in pursuit of sustainable development.

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He also claimed the DENR was in consultation with the Ecosystem Research and Development Bureau, Biodiversity Management Bureau and Forest Management Bureau, the agencies tasked to study the survival rate of mangroves.

“We’re encouraged by the initial results that have been sent to us already, but for us to be able to really extensively complete the study, we are targeting December of this year,” he said.

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Hearing this, De Lima advised the DENR to be more direct about the study’s findings, especially if the mangroves’ survival rate is extremely low.

She urged the department to “first suspend the implementation, if not do away with the memorandum altogether.”

Cuna committed to evaluate the matter.

House measures

De Lima earlier filed House Resolution No. 1206 seeking to conduct an inquiry into the memorandum as this directly conflicts with the country’s commitments and undermines its standing as a steward of global mangrove conservation.

She also filed House Bill No. 8353 seeking to require the establishment of coastal greenbelt zones to prevent coastal erosion. These zones consist of mangroves and beach forests at least 100 meters wide.

The measure also specifically defines the country’s policy goals and objectives for the management of mangrove resources.

“The lack of a national policy on mangroves poses a great challenge and has caused existing mangrove protection and rehabilitation efforts to remain ineffective and unsuccessful,” De Lima said in filing the bill.

“We must urgently implement a comprehensive mechanism to shield coastal communities, protect habitats, and set the stage for rebuilding our fisheries and achieving food security,” she added.

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De Lima had also sought to establish the “legal validity” of the guidelines, citing laws mandating the protection of mangroves such as Republic Act No. 8550, or the Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998, as amended by RA 10654, and RA 8371, or the Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act. /cb