Philippines Government Protects Marine Ecosystems and Fishers From Harmful Coastal Development Projects - Oceana

Victory | February 17, 2022

Philippines Government Protects Marine Ecosystems and Fishers From Harmful Coastal Development Projects

A national agency in the Philippines issued an order to better protect the ocean and local communities from harmful land reclamation projects along the coast. Dubbed “dump-and-fill,” these development projects can threaten marine biodiversity, hurt fisherfolk and food security, and remove natural buffers — such as mangroves — that protect communities from waves and typhoons. On February 17, the Department of the Interior and Local Government determined that all projects by local governments must comply with the Philippine Environmental Impact Assessment System Act, Fisheries Code, and other environmental laws before they are approved. This decision is a direct result of campaigning by Oceana and its allies, who drew national attention to dump-and-fill projects that were being approved without proper environmental assessments and compliance with legal requirements, such as genuine public consultations.