The town of Del Carmen in Surigao del Norte, once known as the “mangrove-cutting capital,” has transformed into a model of conservation, now recognized as a Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention. Junrey Longos, 44, who once relied on cutting mangroves for livelihood, now guards the forest from a watchtower, equipped with binoculars and a thermos of coffee. His shift from destroyer to protector mirrors the town’s journey. Longos began cutting mangroves at 15, a practice passed down from his parents, earning ₱500 daily in the early 2000s. Mangrove wood was in demand for its long-burning properties, ideal for firewood. Gina Barquilla, the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Officer since 2010, recalls the town’s struggle to curb illegal cutting, which dates back to the 1980s. Del Carmen, part of the Siargao Island Protected Landscape and Seascape, saw its mangrove forest shrink from 5,547.6 hectares in 1988 to 4,295 hectares by 2011 due to rampant cutting. Mayor Alfredo Coro II, who took office in 2010, recognized the mangrove forest’s potential for tourism, food security, and coastal protection. With support from NGOs like SIKAT, the local government implemented alternative livelihoods and strict enforcement, though not without challenges. SIKAT’s Dian Animo recalls threats and hostility from locals during early enforcement efforts. Over time, through education, public hearings, and livelihood programs like king crab fattening and danggit drying, the community shifted away from mangrove cutting. Longos, now a fisherman, admits the transition was difficult but ultimately necessary. Barquilla credits SIKAT’s structured approach, including a Mangrove Management Plan, for the town’s success. SIKAT’s ₱239 million in programs across Siargao concluded in 2024, leaving Del Carmen to sustain its conservation efforts independently. This story, supported by Canal France International under the Media for One Health program, highlights the town’s remarkable transformation. Tomorrow’s installment will explore the rehabilitated mangrove forest’s role as a tourism destination.
