Prieto Diaz, Sorsogon Turns 1,000‑Hectare Mangrove Forest into Coastal Success Story

In 1993 the Philippine Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) selected Prieto Diaz as a pilot site for coastal rehabilitation, sparking a community‑led effort that has restored more than 1,000 hectares of mangroves, seagrass, and coral reefs. The local organization SEAMANCOR, formed in 1994, now manages the forest through sea patrols, enforcement of fishing restrictions, and guided mangrove tours. The project earned the municipality the 2020 national grand prize of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources’ Malinis at Masaganang Karagatan program, awarding P30 million for fisheries livelihood projects. Residents now balance fishing, tourism, and conservation, with plans to expand the forest toward Sorsogon City over the next decade.