BY: JUJU M. EMPUERTO
CEBU CITY, June 8 (PIA) --- A simultaneous planting of 13,000 mangrove propagules was made in six coastal areas in Central Visayas in celebration of the world environment day (WED) today with the theme: Raise your voice, not the sea level, reported Dr. Eddie Llamedo, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-7 Information Officer.
DENR-7 regional executive director Dr. Isabelo R. Montejo said, “Mangroves are important as they anchor on the soil and also absorb and dissipate the energy of the waves by 70 percent thus slowing their passage in land and preventing significant damage to the coastal communities."
Montejo added, this is particularly important as high waves or storm tides can quickly erode coastlines and damaged structures.
Llamedo said the simultaneous mangrove planting was attended by a combined participants of about 500 mostly from the local government units (LGU), DENR personnel, industries, students, and other stakeholders.
Llamedo told media that coastal clean up to happe in Sitio Labangon, Tulic, Argao; Cabiangon, Pinamungajan; Inoburan, Naga City, Dawas Norte, Carmen; all in Cebu; Calayugan Sur, Loon, Bohol; and Ulo in Siquijor.
About four species of mangroves-- Bungalon orAvicennia marina, Bakhawan Bato or Rhizophora stylosa, Bakhaun Laki orRhizophora apiculata, and Bakhawan Bae orRhizophora mucronata were planted, added the DENR-7 official.
More than 5,000 mangrove propagules were planted in Barangay Inoburan, Naga City, Cebu, by over 200 participants from Big Blue Logistics Corporation, CP Kelco Philippines, San Miguel Mandaue Glass Plant, Metal Closure and Lithnographic Plant-San Miguel Corporation, and Cebu Beverage Packaging.
The Sumpa Multipurpose Cooperative President Teodulo Selim, who contracted the mangrove plantations in 1989 with 29 hectares through contract reforestation with DENR 7, said the plantations had increased to 40 hectares which he attributed to the regular monitoring, patrolling and enforcement by the communities themselves aside from the six forest guards.
Director Montejo pronounced, “We are now trying to educate and influence our partners to plant the appropriate mangrove species in a certain place so that our efforts will not go to waste.”
Emma Melana, DENR 7’s Regional Technical Director for Ecosystems Research and Development Services explained that the mangrove specie, Bungalon or Avicennia marina can withstand stronger waves compared to other mangrove species.
Melana added,“Mangroves with some 47 true mangrove and mangrove associate species out of 70 species in the world occur in the Philippines, help clean the air and water along the coastal zones, and provide food security and livelihood to the communities.”
For his part, Barangay Councilor Fileto Encabo, claimed his barangay has been very supportive to maintain the mangrove plantations by educating the communities regularly on the importance of mangroves against disasters.
In protecting our mangroves, Montejo assured food security in terms of fish catch, as for every one hectare of mangrove trees produced up to 3.6 tons of litterfall annually and one hectare of healthy mangrove ecosystem produces about 1.08 tons of fish per year.
Mangroves provide nursery grounds for fish, prawns and crabs, and support fisheries production in coastal waters. (mbcn/jsme/PIA7-Cebu/ with reports from Ed Llamedo/DENR7)