Unsung Hero

A mangrove farmer is The ONE Philippines' unsung hero for 2022, selected from four other humanitarian heroes

- Chit Lijauco

In December 2021, super-typhoon Rai (Odette) devastated Western Philippines, including the coastal towns of Bohol province. Rogelio Timbal, president of the Bo-yoan Mangrove Association in the municipality of Candijay, was saddened by reports of lives lost and properties damaged around him but thankful that the 27,000 people of his town were spared. He knew the reason: the mangrove. For those who suffered Odette's devastation did not have this natural buffer against extreme climate change such as typhoons, tsunamis, storm surges and rising sea levels.

Timbal, a known community leader, was entrusted by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in 2013 with the responsibility of protecting, conserving and reforesting Candijay's 161-hectare mangrove forest. He accepted the task of serving as president of one of two mangrove associations in his town, even without funding from the government.