AROUND 70 members of the Association officers of Negros Occidental and tourism staff officers and staff from the different local government units (LGUs) joined the mangrove tree planting in Sitio Bagacay, Barangay Daan Banua in Kabankalan City on Wednesday.

Before going to the shoreline site located 12 kilometers away from the city proper, the group headed by Jennylind Cordero, provincial tourism officer, paid a courtesy call at the mayor's office. They were welcomed by Mayor Pedro Zayco with Vir Gerongani, Kabankalan tourism officer, councilors Raul Rivera and Ted Romulo del Rio, chairman of the City Council committee on tourism.

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The group was given a briefing on how to properly plant the bakhaw tree in the 3.8 kilometers Kabankalan shoreline by Cris Guanzon, a member of the Task Force Katunggan.

Each tourism officer was given 20 stems to plant in a designated place. Vice Mayor Delia Anacan joined the group later at the Bay Watch, a name given to the shoreline.

One fourth of this 3.8-hectare shoreline has already been planted by the city scholars, NGOs and civic clubs.

Dr. Nemesio Cañete, city agriculturist, said it is necessary to replenish the depleted mangrove in this area as the trees provide protection to fingerlings from predators and strong current of the sea.

Lunch and snacks were also served by the city government to the visitors.