Reefs, Resilience, and Redemption: Sarangani Bay’s Bold Vision for the Future of Philippine National Parks

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Sarangani Bay, Mindanao – On this Coral Triangle Day, we dive not only into the crystalline waters of one of the Philippines’ most awe-inspiring seascapes, but also into a powerful story of resilience, redemption, and revolutionary conservation.

Nestled in the heart of the famed Coral Triangle—home to 76% of the world’s known coral species—Sarangani Bay Protected Seascape (SBPS) is challenging the outdated image of what a national park should look like. Here, between coal-fired power plants and sprawling aquaculture farms, lies a sanctuary that is thriving not in spite of development—but because it dared to embrace it.

This is not a fairy tale. It’s the future.

Beneath the Surface: A Living, Breathing Reef Amid Industry

Driving down the highway in General Santos City, it’s easy to miss the miracle hiding beneath the waves. Beyond the scent of grilled tuna and the sound of Manny Pacquiao’s name on every airwave, Sarangani Bay is brimming with color and life—an underwater Eden set against a modern industrial backdrop.

And yet, as you descend into Kamanga Reef, the contrast is surreal. Towering red seafans, vibrant coral walls, and glittering schools of fusiliers greet divers in a world that seems untouched. Some claim that even baby blue whales pass through these parts.

But this isn’t untouched wilderness—it’s an embattled frontier. To the west lies a 237-megawatt coal plant. To the east, a tangle of fish pens and shrimp farms. Above, over a million people live, work, and raise families. And still, beneath it all, the reef holds firm.

A New Breed of Park, A New Kind of Steward

At the helm of this balancing act is Cirilo "Bugoy" Lagnason Jr., superintendent of SBPS and graduate of the DENR’s Environment and Natural Resources Academy. Young, driven, and fiercely pragmatic, Bugoy embodies a new wave of environmental leadership—one that doesn’t see people and progress as enemies of conservation, but as partners.

“Modern protected areas aren’t locked-up wildernesses anymore,” Bugoy says. “People live, breathe, and survive here. Our mission isn’t to keep them out—it’s to bring them in, and make them part of the solution.”

And the numbers prove him right. From PHP7.9 million in 2016 to a staggering PHP62 million in 2024, the park’s earnings have exploded—fuelling enforcement, restoration, and education programs that reach deep into the community.

With strict environmental fees (damaging one square meter of coral costs PHP19,000) and cooperative enforcement with the Coast Guard, PNP, BFAR, and Bantay Dagat volunteers, the SBPS doesn’t just protect—it regenerates.

Coral Gardens: Planting Hope Underwater

Just a few meters from the dive site, researchers like Earl Angelo Tahad are turning science into action. Their coral gardens, laced with mesh and seeded with Acropora, Pocillopora, Stylophora, and Porites, serve as living laboratories—and life rafts.

“Acropora grows fast,” Earl notes. “Porites are tougher. We’re preparing for the future—so if we lose parts of our reef, we have the tools to bring them back.”

This restoration work is more than just planting coral—it’s about building resilience in the face of climate change, marine pollution, and the unpredictable hand of nature.

Financing the Future: Coral Insurance and Biodiversity Bonds

Enter the United Nations Development Programme’s Biodiversity Finance Initiative (UNDP-BIOFIN). With over USD84 million raised for the Philippines’ 107 legislated protected areas, BIOFIN is reimagining how conservation is funded.

Now, it’s piloting a coral reef insurance system in the Tañon Strait—the nation’s largest protected seascape.

“Insurance is about risk transfer,” says Anabelle Plantilla, BIOFIN Philippines Project Manager. “It’s not just disaster response—it’s a lifeline to keep reefs alive. We’re integrating finance with science to future-proof biodiversity.”

Dr. Hazel Arceo, reef scientist from UP Cebu, emphasizes why: coral reefs feed millions, buffer coastlines, and anchor tourism economies. Their survival isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity.

The Future of National Parks Is Here—And It’s Complicated

In a country with 244 protected areas—most struggling for funding, political will, and public support—Sarangani Bay might just be the template for tomorrow.

It proves that conservation doesn’t need to be cut off from civilization. In fact, the very proximity to people, ports, and progress can become an advantage if managed well.

Bugoy doesn’t sugarcoat the challenge. “Business and industry won’t go away. But if they can’t conserve biodiversity directly, they must at least reduce their impact—or fund the people who can.”

And fund they do. Those who want to operate in the SBPS must pay premium conservation fees. And as Bugoy points out, “The money we raise doesn’t go to some central office. It pays for boots on the ground, eyes underwater, and the heart of this ecosystem.”

The Balance We Must Strike

Sarangani Bay is not pristine. It is not untouched. But perhaps that’s why it matters more than the far-flung, unspoiled corners of the planet. It’s real—a living proof that harmony is possible, and that biodiversity and development can coexist with enough courage, coordination, and creativity.

“Short-term efforts like cleanups and coral gardening are great,” Bugoy reflects, as the sun dips behind Mindanao’s mountains. “But lasting change requires a plan, partners, and most of all—balance.”

As the world celebrates Coral Triangle Day, the call from Sarangani Bay is clear: the future of conservation isn’t somewhere far away. It’s here. It’s complicated. And it’s worth fighting for.

Wazzup Pilipinas salutes the stewards of Sarangani Bay for showing the nation—and the world—that even in the shadow of smoke stacks and shipping lanes, the ocean can still thrive.

How to Make a Clean City: Why Southeast Asia Should Look to Tokyo for Environmental Transformation

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Beneath the bustling streets of Tokyo, hidden below the daily rhythm of millions, lies a temple—not of worship, but of salvation. Fifty-nine towering pillars hold up a cavernous chamber 50 meters beneath Kasukabe City, resembling something out of myth or legend. Yet, this isn’t a relic of ancient Greece; it’s a marvel of modern engineering—a monumental shield against nature’s fury. And it’s just one of many reasons why Tokyo is a global beacon of environmental innovation.

As Southeast Asia battles rising floods, choking pollution, and mounting plastic waste, Japan’s capital offers more than inspiration—it provides a practical, proven blueprint for building a cleaner, more resilient future.

The Global Power City Index: A Testament to Tokyo’s Leadership

Every year, the Global Power City Index (GPCI) ranks 48 of the world’s leading cities across six critical dimensions: Economy, Research and Development, Cultural Interaction, Livability, Environment, and Accessibility. For nine years straight, Tokyo has remained firmly in the top three, trailing only behind London and New York. While Asian cities traditionally lag in environmental rankings, Tokyo broke the mold by placing 9th in Commitment to Climate Action in 2024—a new metric underscoring bold, systemic responses to the climate crisis.

What sets Tokyo apart is not just its high-tech sheen or futuristic skyline—it’s the city's relentless commitment to practical, people-first policies that can be emulated across Southeast Asia.

The “Underground Temple” That Tamed the Floods

Flooding is a disaster all too familiar to cities like Jakarta, Bangkok, and Manila. In 2024 alone, Indonesia reported 2,284 flood events, affecting 5.7 million people. The solution? Look underground.

Tokyo’s Metropolitan Area Outer Underground Discharge Channel—nicknamed the “Underground Temple”—is an engineering triumph. Spanning 6.3 kilometers and holding a staggering 670,000 cubic meters of floodwater, this megastructure has already prevented losses worth 148.4 billion yen as of 2024. That’s 65% of its construction costs recouped, not just in cash, but in peace of mind.

By employing Japan’s shield tunneling method, such systems can be built without disrupting surface traffic—an invaluable benefit for gridlocked Southeast Asian metropolises. For cities like Jakarta, perpetually submerged during the monsoon, this model isn’t just a solution—it’s a lifeline.

Urban Forests in the Sky: Greening the Gray

In the heart of Tokyo’s ultra-modern Ginza district, a lush rooftop forest blooms atop Ginza Six, a luxury shopping and office complex. This 4,000-square-meter green space—Tokyo’s largest rooftop garden in Ginza—offers weary workers and shoppers an oasis above the city. But it’s not just about aesthetics. Urban greening combats heat island effects, improves air quality, and promotes biodiversity.

Since 2001, Tokyo has mandated all new buildings with over 1,000 square meters of land to devote at least 20% of open ground and usable space to greenery. And starting April 2025, solar panels will be compulsory on all new homes.

Meanwhile, cities like Bangkok and Hanoi are suffocating under toxic levels of PM2.5 pollution. Bangkok exceeded 75.1 micrograms per cubic meter—three times the danger threshold—across almost all districts earlier this year. Changing national energy policies takes time, but Tokyo shows that urban rooftops and policies can start cooling down the city—and the planet—today.

The Plastic Problem: Tokyo’s Battle with Waste

Asia’s waters are drowning in plastic. The Philippines and Indonesia are among the top global contributors to ocean plastic pollution. Yet, Tokyo provides a counter-narrative.

Rather than rely solely on recycling—a process often overwhelmed by sheer volume—Tokyo focuses on reduction. It promotes biodegradable containers, plant-based plastics, and chemical recycling. Citizens meticulously sort their trash. Shops use minimal packaging. Even convenience stores have adopted low-plastic options.

While Malaysia struggles with its landfill dependency, Tokyo’s **Three R strategy—Reduce, Reuse, Recycle—**shows that smart policy can turn consumer behavior into an ally, not an adversary, of sustainability.

The Most Powerful Tool: The Shift in Mindset

If Tokyo has a secret weapon, it isn’t tech. It’s culture.

Despite a lack of public trash bins, Tokyo’s streets are impeccably clean. Why? Because people take their garbage home. This unwritten social contract is more powerful than any regulation. When the government introduces new environmental measures, skepticism often gives way to success. Citizens and companies adapt. They see the benefits. They thrive.

And this cultural shift is precisely what Southeast Asia needs most. Infrastructure, policies, and technology are all essential—but without a change in public mindset, they’re like seeds on barren soil.

Southeast Asia’s Path Forward

Southeast Asia stands at a critical environmental crossroads. The region is rich in culture, biodiversity, and opportunity—but its cities are choking, drowning, and overheating. Tokyo offers not a perfect solution, but a living model—one forged through trials, errors, and resilience.

From underground flood channels to forested rooftops, from solar mandates to plastic reform, Tokyo shows us that clean cities aren’t built overnight. They are built over time—through bold leadership, inclusive policies, and above all, a collective will to change.

The rest of Asia doesn’t need to reinvent the wheel. It only needs to roll forward on the road Tokyo has already paved.

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Ross Flores Del Rosario is the founder of Wazzup Pilipinas, a digital platform dedicated to promoting sustainability, transparency, and civic engagement in the Philippines and beyond.

EcoWaste Coalition and ACRI Pitch for Chemical Safety and Zero Waste at Brigada Eskwela in QC School

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Groups foster awareness and action towards a healthy and safe learning environment

Civil society groups highlighted the importance of being aware of the potential risks from chemicals and waste in the school environment and the need to mitigate, if not eliminate, these risks effectively as the annual National Schools Maintenance Week, also known as the Brigada Eskwela, goes in full swing.

In solidarity with the Department of Education (DepEd)-led program, the EcoWaste Coalition and the Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health - Center for Research and Innovation (ACRI) partnered with the Pinyahan Elementary School in Quezon City for timely advocacy.  The groups volunteered their energy not only to help with the eco-friendly cleanup, but also in promoting awareness and action on chemical and waste concerns in the school setting.

Schools Division Office-Quezon City gave approval to the advocacy as proposed by the EcoWaste Coalition.  “We believe that this advocacy event will play a significant role in educating both students and the community about adopting practices towards a cleaner and healthier environment,” wrote Carleen Sedilla, Schools Division Superintendent.

During the parade in Barangay Pinyahan, volunteers held banners and placards calling for zero waste resource management, plastic pollution avoidance, marine litter prevention, and a lead-safe environment.  At the actual cleanup, volunteers gave wooden arm chairs a fresh coat of lead-safe paints courtesy of the Pacific Paint (Boysen) Philippines, Inc.

Speaking at the kick-off program, Anna Enriquez, Advocacy Lead of ACRI-Environmental Health Program, pointed out that “protecting children from hazardous chemicals is a serious matter as they are more vulnerable to being affected by these substances due to their developing bodies and age-linked behaviors,” adding “malnourished kids and those with pre-existing health conditions are notably at risk.”

For his part, Cris Luague, Zero Waste Campaigner, EcoWaste Coalition, drew attention to the vital role of schools in promoting zero waste in theory and practice.  “Our schools play an indispensable role in instilling environmental responsibility among students, especially in inculcating values and actions in young minds that conserve resources and avoid waste and pollution,” he said. 

“As required by DepEd through Order. No. 5-2014, many of our schools have integrated ecological solid waste management in their operations, including adopting waste prevention regulations like disallowing plastic water bottles and other single-use plastics, implementing waste segregation, recycling and composting, and becoming an environmental model that inspires the broader community,” he added.

Like other facilities, schools use a variety of chemicals for cleaning and sanitation, painting and renovation, pest control and management, and also for educational opportunities like art classes and science laboratories. Lighting products and electrical and electronic equipment, particularly after the end-of-life, may also pose chemical risks, and hence the need to nurture chemical safety awareness and action among teachers, students and the rest of the community to minimize health and environmental impacts.

As emphasized in the educator’s guide published by ACRI and the EcoWaste Coalition: “Classrooms are vital spaces that significantly influence the health, development, and well-being of children.  Ensuring these environments are free from chemical hazards is essential to safeguard students’ health and foster a conducive learning atmosphere.”

As the Brigada Eskwela is conducted nationwide, the groups also reminded schools to steer clear of hazardous products that have been banned by the authorities to protect human health and the environment such as lead-containing paints (banned by DENR under A.O. 2013-24) and  chlorpyrifos and dichlorvos  as active ingredients in household/urban pesticides (banned by FDA under Circular No. 2018-008), as well as polluting practices such as open dumping and burning prohibited under Republic Act No. 9003, or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act, and Republic Act 8749, or the Clean Air Act.

For this year’s Brigada Eskwela, the EcoWaste Coalition will participate and/or extend support to Bagong Silangan Elementary School and Pinyahan Elementary School in Quezon City, Nagpayong High School in Pasig City, Nagbalayong National High School in Morong, Bataan, and the Paaralang Pag-ibig at Pag-asa Integrated School in San Pablo City, Laguna.