The BakaJUAN program of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) gained international recognition as the Campaign of the Year–Environment at the GovMedia Awards 2025 in Singapore.
The BakaJUAN program exemplifies how grassroots participation and volunteerism can play a crucial role in conservation and in advancing environmental protection.
Through the use of social media, DENR was able to mobilize thousands of volunteers to map the country’s mangrove areas, demonstrating that meaningful climate action can indeed originate from community efforts.
By integrating the use of cutting-edge technologies like smartphones and drones into their initiatives, BakaJUAN not only stressed the importance of community involvement but also showcased the vital role of scientific innovation in environmental stewardship.
In her acceptance speech on behalf of the DENR, Undersecretary Marilou Erni praised the citizens whose contributions made this initiative a resounding success.
She said BakaJUAN has transformed scientific mapping into a genuinely inclusive, community-led endeavor. The recognition not only highlights the program’s effectiveness but also reinforces the Philippines’ commitment to sustainable conservation practices on an international stage.
With an initial aim of verifying mangroves in over 30,000 coastal sites, the three-month campaign ended with the validation of over 250,000 hectares of mangrove forests through 70,000 validation points—more than double the initial target. This led to the establishment of the Philippine Mangrove Map, which she considered as a milestone in citizen-powered environmental protection. DENR News
