Valuing The Storm Protection Function of Mangroves: A Case Study from Northern Luzon, Philippines
Keywords:
mangroves, Northern Luzon, storm protection function, valuationAbstract
The storm protection function value of mangroves was assessed using the Damage - Cost Avoided Approach considering the case of three settings: a community in the shadow of mangrove, a community that is neither in the shadow of mangrove nor an embankment and a community not in the shadow of mangrove, but with an embankment on the seaward side. All the three communities are from the municipality of Aparri. Cagayan in northern Luzon, Philippines. A structured questionnaire was used to gather the socio-economic status and the actual damages on the assets of the respondents. The total monetary loss was estimated from the sum of the cost of repairs and reconstruction of houses and other properties, damage to livestock and loss of agricultural products. Data on the damage assessment in the study villages were also gathered from the Cagayan Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council and Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office to enhance the accuracy of the information. A one-way ANOVA was conducted to compare the effect of mangroves on the total monetary damage incurred during the typhoon. The loss incurred per household was greatest (Php 31,600) in the community that was neither shielded by mangroves nor embankment, followed by the community without mangroves but with embankment (Php 15,429) and the community that was protected by mangrove forests (Php 3,143). The results of the study revealed that the presence of mangroves and embankments lessen the total monetary loss in an area. It showed that presence of mangroves in an area is a way comparable to if not better than embankments. Findings of this study would be helpful in generating support from the community to upkeep the mangrove resources and for the government to continue promoting mangrove rehabilitation programs.