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Struggle for Wetlands, Wildlife Preservation, and Youth-Driven Conservation Movement Led by Matthew Vincent Tabilog in the Philippines

Marine biologist Matthew Tabilog advocates for the preservation of mangroves and encourages youth-led climate initiatives, influencing discussions both locally in coastal Negros and on a global scale in international policy forums throughout the Philippines.

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Filipino efforts in preserving wetlands, wildlife, and youth-led conservation initiatives...
Filipino efforts in preserving wetlands, wildlife, and youth-led conservation initiatives spearheaded by Matthew Vincent Tabilog in the Philippines.

Struggle for Wetlands, Wildlife Preservation, and Youth-Driven Conservation Movement Led by Matthew Vincent Tabilog in the Philippines

In the Philippines, a nation blessed with abundant coastal ecosystems, a new wave of conservation is taking shape. Led by passionate young individuals like Matthew Vincent Tabilog, the founder of Mangrove Matters PH, this movement is focused on preserving and restoring vital blue carbon ecosystems, particularly mangroves.

Tabilog, a 25-year-old from Talisay City in Negros Occidental province, grew up immersed in the coastal community. His connection to the environment and the people who depend on it for their livelihoods inspired him to establish Mangrove Matters PH in 2020.

Women in coastal communities, such as those in Tambobo Bay and Barangay Balaring, have been at the forefront of mangrove conservation efforts. Their organizational skills and caregiving roles make them natural leaders in managing nurseries, organizing planting efforts, and selling seedlings. This additional income not only supports their households but also contributes to the overall health of the mangrove ecosystems.

However, the Philippines has lost more than half of its original 500,000 hectares of mangroves due to coastal development. This alarming statistic underscores the urgency of conservation efforts.

Tabilog is not only working on the ground but also advocating for policy change. He is currently pursuing his graduate studies at Hokkaido University, focusing on seagrass ecosystems, a less-explored but equally vital blue carbon ecosystem. He also serves as the Chair of the East Asian-Australasian Flyway Partnership (EAAFP) Youth Task Force and the Knowledge and Capacity Building Lead for Youth Engaged in Wetlands.

Mangrove Matters PH has been instrumental in various campaigns to protect key fishing grounds, mangroves, seagrasses, and coral reefs from reclamation and harmful projects. Last year, the organisation was pivotal in lobbying for key legislation on marine protected parks in the Philippine Senate.

In 2022, Tabilog graduated magna cum laude and used his university commencement as a platform to protest the Panay-Guimaras-Negros bridges project, which threatens a Ramsar-listed wetland and endangers the critically endangered Irrawaddy Dolphins. The organisation is currently campaigning to protect the Las Piñas-Parañaque Wetland Park, a Ramsar site in Metro Manila, from reclamation.

Later this month, Tabilog will represent youth-led conservation efforts on the global stage at the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands (COP15) in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.

The organisation is now lobbying for the National Coastal Greenbelt Bill, which aims to develop and implement a comprehensive National Coastal Greenbelt Management Action Plan. Mangrove Matters PH is a youth-driven initiative promoting mangrove conservation through reforestation projects, nursery workshops, and public awareness campaigns.

National events such as the International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem involve student groups and environmental organisations promoting awareness and hands-on conservation activities focused on mangrove ecosystem protection and restoration. Youth climate workshops like BayBayanihan sa Capiz provide training and involvement in restoration projects, empowering young leaders with knowledge and practical skills to restore mangroves and build local climate resilience.

Government and NGOs collaborate on blue carbon projects and large-scale funding for mangrove ecosystem protection. The Philippine government has allocated substantial funds for mangrove and beach forest development, as in the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan, and is implementing science- and policy-backed projects such as the National Blue Carbon Action Project that link mangrove conservation to climate adaptation and investment.

Overall, the approach in the Philippines integrates scientific research, policy frameworks, community engagement, and youth empowerment—highlighting the importance of collective action for mangrove restoration and sustainable management. Mangrove Matters PH is part of this youth-led momentum aimed at ensuring long-term stewardship of these critical coastal ecosystems.

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