On April 11, 2026, hundreds of volunteers, community members, civil society organizations, and local government partners gathered along the Iligan City Esplanade, not just to plant mangroves, but to nurture a shared vision of resilience, unity, and environmental stewardship.
The Mangrove Restoration, MusiKalikasan, and Coastal Clean-Up 2026, spearheaded by the Iligan City People’s Council, once again brought together diverse sectors in a strong display of collective action. Now in its third year, the initiative continues to grow as a flagship environmental and peace-building effort, linking ecological protection with cultural expression and social cohesion.
Representing civil society, Ecosystems Work for Essential Benefits (EcoWEB) actively participated, reinforcing its commitment to community-led approaches in addressing climate and environmental challenges.
Participants carried out simultaneous mangrove planting and coastal clean-up activities, while MusiKalikasan added a unique dimension – using music and cultural performances to promote environmental awareness and peacebuilding.
Since its launch in 2024, the initiative has steadily expanded, drawing thousands of participants each year. Its continuity reflects a growing recognition that environmental protection must be a shared responsibility.
For EcoWEB, however, participation is only the starting point.
In a statement, EcoWEB Executive Director Regina Salvador-Antequisa emphasized the need to move beyond one-time activities:
“Impact improves when communities shape the planning, not just the maintenance. If we want real, lasting results, we must shift from volunteer-driven events to community-led systems.”
Her message highlights a key insight: while large mobilizations matter, sustainability depends on empowering communities to take ownership – from planning to long-term stewardship.
More than an environmental campaign, the event also strengthened relationships across sectors, fostering collaboration among ICPC members, communities, and local leaders, while highlighting the role of culture in uniting people around a common cause.
As Iligan City continues to prioritize environmental protection and sustainable development, initiatives like this show how collective, community-driven action can create lasting impact.
Because protecting the environment is not a one-day effort, it is a continuing journey, best led by communities themselves.
