Cadiz’s ‘guardian of the coast’ hailed one of the best in PH

Cadiz City’s quest for environmental preservation and protection has gained a new impulse.

Its 33-hectare Avila Mangrove Reserve & Migratory Birds Sanctuary (AMRMBS), dubbed as “guardian of the coast” in Barangay Daga was recently hailed as one of the best in the Philippines.

It was named first runner-up at awarding rites of this year’s prestigious Para El Mar Awards held at Zuri Hotel in Iloilo City on Thursday, September 18.

Named 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 finished 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 (MPA) Support Network, such celebrates exceptional management, conservation, and protection of marine resources by local government units and communities.

Para El Mar is likened to FAMAS (Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences) in showbiz.

Cadiz Mayor Salvador Escalante Jr. was so elated by the prestigious award, serving now as an attestation to their city’s peerless effort in prioritizing environmental conservation and protection.

This was the first time that Cadiz joined, then,won Para El Mar award.

“It, therefore, offers new hope and inspiration for us Cadizen̈os to further our efforts and programs always meant to preserve our environment and the natural resources within,” said Escalante.

AMRBS is beyond a mangrove forest, rather it’s a vivid representation of a quiet hum of life in Cadiz that protects booth humans and marine resources.

Roots of decades-old mangroves cradle young fish and crabs, while thousands of migratory birds pause here to rest on their long journey across continents.

AMRMBS is also part of Cadiz’s wetland, also vying for this year’s Ramsar citation as wetland of international significance.
For the people living nearby, these 33 hectares lush of 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 this sanctuary for their livelihoods.

Its rich marine life supports daily fishing activities, ensuring food security while sustaining generations of residents who live along the shoreline.

Beyond providing sustenance, 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.

This delicate balance between people and nature is what Cadiz’s AMRMBS’ edge in snatching one of the top four major awards in mangrove or biodiversity conservation at Para El Mar 2025.

Such sanctuary is currently 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.

But Cadiz’s journey towards environmental balance is no easy.

AMRMBS also faces threats such as illegal cutting of mangroves, poaching of migratory birds, and improper waste disposal.

But with Mayor Escalante’s strong governance, and determination to make AMRMBS truly astonishing, leading to the fulfilment of its real mission. – protect human lives and marine assets – Cadiz succeeded in making way to guard the “guardian of the sea”.

It simply enhances its daily sea patrol in the area by members of the Bantay Katunggan Brigade, in partnerships with other government agencies, academe, and local organizations.

And, the result is, a thriving ecosystem that benefits both wildlife and people.

Hence, Escalante declared: “This is it….our greatest contribution to saving Mother Earth!”* (CCW)