Cadiz City’s 33-hectare Avila Mangrove Reserve and Migratory Birds Sanctuary (AMRMBS) dubbed as “guardian of the coast” in Barangay Daga was named first runner-up for Best Mangrove award in this year’s Para El Mar Awards held at Zuri Hotel in Iloilo City on Sept. 18.
Mayor Salvador Escalante Jr. said in a press release the award attests to the city’s effort in prioritizing environmental conservation and protection.
“It offers new hope and inspiration for us Cadizeños to further our efforts and programs meant to preserve our environment and the natural resources within,” he added.
AMRMBS is part of Cadiz’s wetland, vying for this year’s Ramsar citation as wetland of international significance.
For the people living nearby, the 33 hectares of lush salt-resistant mangroves are more than just a stretch of trees and water, they are home, protector, and a source of daily survival.
Many coastal households and communities depend on the sanctuary for their livelihoods and its rich marine life supports daily fishing activities.
AMRMBS also serves as a natural barrier against storm surges, protecting homes and lives during typhoons, and strengthening the city’s resilience to the impacts of climate change.
The sanctuary is home to 31 mangrove species, including the rare Camptostemon philippinensis (Gapas-gapas), which is endemic to the Philippines and emblematic in the city.
It also plays a crucial role in global conservation as a safe stopover for over 6,000 migratory shorebirds annually, including the Great Knot, a bird species listed as globally threatened.
These natural treasures make AMRMBS a vital link in the East Asian-Australasian Flyway, an international network of habitats for migratory birds.
As AMRMBS also faces threats such as illegal cutting of mangroves, poaching of migratory birds, and improper waste disposal, there is a daily sea patrol in the area by members of the Bantay Katunggan Brigade, in partnership with other government agencies, academe, and local organizations.
In the Best Mangrove category, declared champion was Balisungan Marine Protected Area in Coron, Palawan while the Siruma Mangrove Local Conservation Area in Siruma, Camarines Sur and Bauang Bakawan Eco-Tourism Park in Bauang, La Union placed second and third runners-up, respectively.
Para El Mar (For the Sea) is a biennial national award and recognition event in the country.
Organized by the Marine Protected Areas Support Network, it celebrates the exceptional management, conservation, and protection of marine resources by local government units and communities. ||
