Mangrove resource conflict and governance challenges in coastal social-ecological systems: A case in the Northern Negros, Philippines

Angela Grace Singson; Ember Ann Barabona; Lilibeth Coronel; Jessel Gallogo

doi:10.3153/AR26019

EN

Mangrove resource conflict and governance challenges in coastal social-ecological systems: A case in the Northern Negros, Philippines

Abstract

Mangrove forests continue to decline due to anthropogenic pressures, yet governance responses often overlook the complex interactions among social, ecological, and institutional factors. While the Social-Ecological-Systems (SES) framework is widely applied, empirical studies integrating multi-stakeholder perspectives in the localized Philippine contexts remain limited. This study evaluates mangrove governance in Northern Negros, Philippines, by analyzing the perspectives of key stakeholders, including local communities, people’s organizations, local government units, and external actors. Using focus group discussions and a hybrid deductive-inductive approach, governance challenges were mapped across SES components, including resource conflicts, institutional arrangements, external interventions, financial mechanisms, and customary systems. Results reveal that governance challenges stem from misalignments between formal institutions and local socio-cultural practices, weak integration of customary rules, and inconsistent external support. Overlapping mandates and unclear enforcement structures reinforce resource conflicts. The study contributes a stakeholder-centered SES analysis that explains governance disconnects in a local coastal context. Findings highlight the need for inclusive, context-sensitive, adaptive governance approaches that strengthen local participation and align formal policies with community-based practices.

Keywords

Ethical Statement

Approval was not required for this study as it involved voluntary participation and did not include experiments on humans or animals. Permission to conduct the study was obtained from the local government unit. Informed consent was secured from all participants, and confidentiality was maintained throughout the research.

Thanks

The authors would like to express their sincere gratitude to the DENR technical staff, Mr. Ronnel Alingasa, Mr. Crisper Calixton, and Mr. Angel Lombres, for their valuable assistance during the conduct of the study and data collection. Special thanks are also extended to Mr. Jojo Vargas from the Local Government Unit of Enrique B. Magalona for facilitating the necessary permits and for his support in coordinating with the people’s organization. Their cooperation and assistance were instrumental in the successful completion of this research.

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Fisheries Development, Fisheries Management

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Angela Grace Singson ^*
0009-0003-3498-4394
Philippines

Ember Ann Barabona
0009-0008-2416-652X
Philippines

Lilibeth Coronel
0009-0002-5933-8631
Philippines

Jessel Gallogo
0009-0004-6149-198X
Philippines

Early Pub Date

June 27, 2026

Publication Date

July 1, 2026

Submission Date

April 7, 2026

Acceptance Date

May 6, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 9 Number: 3

DOI

https://doi.org/10.3153/AR26019

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA79MP92XF

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Singson, A. G., Barabona, E. A., Coronel, L., & Gallogo, J. (2026). Mangrove resource conflict and governance challenges in coastal social-ecological systems: A case in the Northern Negros, Philippines. Aquatic Research, 9(3), 228-237. https://doi.org/10.3153/AR26019

AMA

1.Singson AG, Barabona EA, Coronel L, Gallogo J. Mangrove resource conflict and governance challenges in coastal social-ecological systems: A case in the Northern Negros, Philippines. Aquat Res. 2026;9(3):228-237. doi:10.3153/AR26019

Chicago

Singson, Angela Grace, Ember Ann Barabona, Lilibeth Coronel, and Jessel Gallogo. 2026. “Mangrove Resource Conflict and Governance Challenges in Coastal Social-Ecological Systems: A Case in the Northern Negros, Philippines”. Aquatic Research 9 (3): 228-37. https://doi.org/10.3153/AR26019.

EndNote

Singson AG, Barabona EA, Coronel L, Gallogo J (July 1, 2026) Mangrove resource conflict and governance challenges in coastal social-ecological systems: A case in the Northern Negros, Philippines. Aquatic Research 9 3 228–237.

IEEE

[1]A. G. Singson, E. A. Barabona, L. Coronel, and J. Gallogo, “Mangrove resource conflict and governance challenges in coastal social-ecological systems: A case in the Northern Negros, Philippines”, Aquat Res, vol. 9, no. 3, pp. 228–237, July 2026, doi: 10.3153/AR26019.

ISNAD

Singson, Angela Grace - Barabona, Ember Ann - Coronel, Lilibeth - Gallogo, Jessel. “Mangrove Resource Conflict and Governance Challenges in Coastal Social-Ecological Systems: A Case in the Northern Negros, Philippines”. Aquatic Research 9/3 (July 1, 2026): 228-237. https://doi.org/10.3153/AR26019.

JAMA

1.Singson AG, Barabona EA, Coronel L, Gallogo J. Mangrove resource conflict and governance challenges in coastal social-ecological systems: A case in the Northern Negros, Philippines. Aquat Res. 2026;9:228–237.

MLA

Singson, Angela Grace, et al. “Mangrove Resource Conflict and Governance Challenges in Coastal Social-Ecological Systems: A Case in the Northern Negros, Philippines”. Aquatic Research, vol. 9, no. 3, July 2026, pp. 228-37, doi:10.3153/AR26019.

Vancouver

1.Angela Grace Singson, Ember Ann Barabona, Lilibeth Coronel, Jessel Gallogo. Mangrove resource conflict and governance challenges in coastal social-ecological systems: A case in the Northern Negros, Philippines. Aquat Res. 2026 Jul. 1;9(3):228-37. doi:10.3153/AR26019