Mangroves now shield Balanga from floods, serve as fishing lifeline

MANILA, Philippines — For years, Balanga City’s degraded coastlines exposed its communities to flooding, and fish catches declined, especially during storms. Among those who witnessed those times was Jaime Buenaventura, chair of the City Fishery and Aquatic Resources Management Council (CFARMC). “Before, many people would cut down and gather wood from our mangroves. Because of