CEBU CITY, June 6 (PIA) -- More than 5,000 mangrove propagules were planted in a 24- hectare lot in the coastal areas of Naga City, Cebu to mark yesterday’s celebration of the World Environment Day (WED).
Over 50 people joined the early morning mangrove planting which was initiated by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-7) and its partners that included the Selim United Mangrove Planters Association (SUMPA), students, media and other stakeholders.
DENR- 7 regional executive director Dr. IsabeloMontejo stressed the need to plant more mangroves as they serve as nursery habitats for fish, crustacean and other marine species.
Montejo added that mangroves also produce food for the fishes and seashells, providing 3,600 kilograms of leaves per hectare and also prevents soil erosion.
Teodulo Selim, SUMPA president discussed the importance of mangroves in mitigating the impact of storm surge preventing further destruction and loss of lives.
“Mangroves are helpful during calamities such as typhoons and storm surges based from our experience with Typhoon Ruping. The mangroves saved us because it helped lessen the intensity of waves that could have hit us and other residents living in coastal areas,” said Selim.
Michael Selimalso, one of the members of the SUMPA Multi-Purpose Cooperative assured the DENR-7 that in case the propagules that were planted would not survive, they would replace these with new ones.
He said propagules fail to grow because of the seaweeds and waves that strike the stems. “In every 10,000 mangrove propagules planted, usually only 7,000 survive or a 30 percent mortality rate,” said Selim.
Selim and other SUMPA members expressed gratitude to the government through the DENR-7 for the support given to them especially in educating coastal residents the value of mangroves in protecting the marine resources and the environment in general.
The mangrove planting conducted during the WED was just one of several activities lined up by the DENR-7 in the month-long celebration of June as Environment Month. (mbcn/FCR/PIA7 with reports from Kristal Eduyan, intern)