Suansing pushes ‘integrated coastal defense’ — but will Congress finally move beyond studies?

ISULAN, Sultan Kudarat (March 5) — As earthquake swarms continue to rattle communities near the Cotabato Trench, Sultan Kudarat 2nd District Rep. Bella Vanessa Suansing is calling on Congress to confront what she describes as a glaring national vulnerability: the absence of a unified, science-driven coastal defense strategy.

In a privilege speech at the House of Representatives of the Philippines, Suansing urged lawmakers to explore and implement integrated coastal defense systems — warning that traditional, infrastructure-heavy approaches are no longer sufficient for a country battered by both climate and seismic threats.

“We, the Philippines, are one of the most climate change vulnerable countries in the world. We’re at the frontlines in all of this,” she said.

A country exposed

Suansing cited estimates that 66 of the country’s 82 provinces are at risk of tsunamis — a statistic that underscores how deeply exposed the archipelago remains.

Her call comes after months of earthquake swarms off the coast of Sultan Kudarat that have unsettled residents in Kalamansig, Lebak and Palimbang (KaLePa), forcing local governments to revisit evacuation plans and coastal risk maps.

But beyond the immediate tremors, the lawmaker pointed to a deeper structural issue: coastal protection efforts in the Philippines remain fragmented, reactive and heavily dependent on “hard” infrastructure such as seawalls and breakwaters.

“We need to take one, two, three steps further than traditional hard structures,” she said.

Study first — act later?

Suansing asked the House Committee on Ecology to investigate existing government programs and legislation on coastal protection and climate adaptation to assess the country’s preparedness.

The move signals concern — but also raises a familiar question: will another congressional inquiry translate into concrete funding, enforceable standards and inter-agency coordination, or simply add to a growing pile of policy reviews?

The Philippines already has climate adaptation frameworks and disaster risk reduction laws in place. Yet coastal communities continue to face repeated destruction from storm surges, sea level rise and tectonic hazards, suggesting persistent gaps between planning and implementation.

Beyond concrete walls

Suansing emphasized that any coastal defense strategy must be localized and science-driven — not a one-size-fits-all blueprint.

“One coastal defense plan cannot apply in all areas in the Philippines,” she said.

She advocated for systems that combine:

• Nature-based solutions such as mangrove restoration
• Flood mitigation and shoreline management
• Early warning and evacuation systems
• Livelihood protection for fisherfolk and coastal residents

A comprehensive coastal defense, adaptation and livelihood development plan is now being crafted for the KaLePa towns, following consultations with local stakeholders. Suansing suggested the model could be replicated in other high-risk areas.

Still, scaling such plans nationwide would require sustained national funding, stronger coordination between agencies, and political will — elements that have historically proven inconsistent.

National security issue?

Suansing noted that countries across Asia, Oceania and Europe are investing heavily in integrated coastal defense systems that blend engineering, ecosystem restoration and long-term climate planning.

For the Philippines — an archipelago with more than 36,000 kilometers of coastline — the stakes are arguably higher.

Her speech reframed coastal defense not just as an environmental concern but as a governance test.

“I refuse to believe that we can’t do something about this… our fellow citizens have placed their trust in us to protect them,” she said.

As tremors continue off Mindanao’s coast, the urgency is clear. Whether Congress treats integrated coastal defense as a national priority — or another item for committee deliberation — may determine how prepared the country will be for the next surge, quake or rising tide.