MPIF, Alaminos City launch Project RESHORE to rebuild nature’s coastal defense

Metro Pacific Investments Foundation (MPIF), the social development arm of Metro Pacific Investments Corporation, and the City Government of Alaminos have launched Project RESHORE (Resilient Ecosystem and Sustainable Habitats through Organized Restoration and Employment), a community-led initiative that combines livelihood support with environmental restoration to strengthen vulnerable coastal communities.

The partnership was formalized through the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement, led by MPIF president Melody del Rosario and Alaminos City Mayor Hon. Arth Bryan Celeste.

Through the project, 30 qualified small-scale fisherfolk and residents from at-risk coastal households will help restore a 2.19-hectare damaged portion of the Bued Mangrove Eco-Park.

The launch also included the turnover of essential tools, equipment, and safety gear to support the volunteers in their fieldwork.

On Aug. 26, the volunteers underwent capacity-building and training in preparation for the restoration activities.

Implemented under MPIF’s Gabay Kabuhayan pillar, Project RESHORE is a climate-resilient Cash-for-Work initiative recognized by the Department of Social Welfare and Development as a Cash-for-Work intervention and aligned with its Risk Resiliency Program Framework.

With a total budget of P1 million, the project provides immediate livelihood support while helping restore the natural ecosystems that protect and sustain coastal communities.

Mayor Celeste reaffirmed the city’s commitment to protecting its coastal resources and welcomed the continued partnership with MPIF.

“Lagi niyo po kaming kasama, especially in taking care of our coastal resources and mangroves. This is a team-up, a partnership to make sure that we are doing the right thing for the environment,” said Mayor Celeste.

For MPIF president del Rosario, Project RESHORE is another milestone in the foundation’s continuing partnership with Alaminos and an opportunity to bring similar livelihood and mangrove restoration efforts to other areas in Pangasinan.

She also recognized the city’s sustained support for MPIF’s environmental programs, including the Mangrove Information Center and its nursery, while emphasizing that RESHORE is about both restoring mangroves and supporting the communities that care for them.

Restoring a natural shield for the community

The Bued Mangrove Eco-Park spans 8.17 hectares, of which 2.19 hectares were identified as severely damaged following disturbances including Typhoon Emong in 2025.

Project activities will focus on clearing degraded and dead mangroves, removing marine debris and waste, and strategically planting new mangrove propagules to help the damaged area recover.

For participating families, the project offers an alternative source of income amid challenges such as high fuel costs and fluctuating fishing conditions. Their work, in turn, helps restore mangroves that serve as a natural coastal buffer and support the health of the surrounding marine ecosystem.

“The communities will give life to the commitments outlined in the MOA. The real work starts after the signing, when everything falls into place, and we begin putting these plans into action,” MPIF president del Rosario said.

The project also builds on the long-standing collaboration between MPIF and the City of Alaminos through the Shore It Up program.

During MPIF’s anniversary celebration, Alaminos City was recognized as its Most Outstanding Partner for Shore It Up—recognizing the city’s continued commitment to environmental conservation.

Behind these efforts are the city’s mangrove eco-guides, who welcome visitors, share the story of the mangroves, and help turn the Mangrove Information Center into a space for learning and environmental awareness.

Del Rosario further stated: “They are truly the face of our Mangrove Information Center. Without them, it would simply remain a building. Because of them, it has a story that they can share with visitors and with people who want to learn more about the importance and benefits of mangroves.”

The project will run from Sept. 1 to Oct. 31, 2026, with volunteers working up to five hours a day. Participants will receive allowances, protective equipment, tools, and technical guidance from MPIF.

Following discussions with marine scientist Dr. Jurgenne Primavera on the appropriate approach for the damaged area, MPIF will ensure that the restoration activities and mangrove species are suited to the site and have the best chance of thriving despite recurring typhoons.

Through Project RESHORE, MPIF and the City Government of Alaminos aim to show how livelihood support and ecosystem restoration can work together, helping families today while restoring the natural coastal protection that communities can depend on for years to come.

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Editor's note: This article was provided by Metro Pacific Investments Corporation.