Management strategies employed in rehabilitating mangroves in selected municipalities were studied in Lingayen Gulf (Bolinao, Anda, Bani, Alaminos and San Fernando). Three management schemes were noted: community-managed (Bolinao and Anda), local government unit (LGU)-managed (Alaminos and San Fernando), and co-managed between the LGU and the community (Bani). The community- managed mangrove areas enjoyed voluntary efforts from community-based organizations in conducting daily management activities despite budgetary and logistical constraints. In contrast, both LGU-managed and co-managed areas received institutional and logistical supports from their respective municipal governments, but tepid community participation made mangrove area management difficult. Generally, all sites focused on mangrove planting as the main management strategy.

However, most planted areas were limited by low seedling survival, poor species-substrate matching, mono-species planting and pest infestation.The paucity of supporting socio-institutional support instruments aggravates these concerns. All municipalities lacked local policies on mangrove management, particularly:formulation of apt resource management plans, provision of incentive schemes for community participation (e.g. livelihood opportunities), enhancement of tenure rights, and institutionalization of annual budget allocation.

   
   In summary, mangrove management strategies can be improved by incorporating more systematic and innovative management approaches, especially those that incorporate sustainable development principles. Among the suggested strategies are the enactment of local policies that sustain mangrove management and intensification of community mobilization and institutional accountability.