Ikaw-Ako recently signed a memorandum of agreement with the Silay City government and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to rehabilitate 50 hectares of mangrove areas in barangay Balaring, in cooperation with Balaring Mangrove Planters' Association and the Silay Tourism Division.
Around 9,000 pagatpat seedlings will be planted.
On August 11, the unveiling ceremony will be held to certify the tie-up with AMD-Japan Incorporated, which is going to donate mangrove seedlings.
Some 1,000 crablets (king crab specie) will also be released in the crab pond.
Joining the activities are the USLS-Education Club, SPARC Motorcycle Club, Extreme Motorcycle Club, Negros Youth for the Environment, SK-Silay, boy and girl scouts from the Doņa Montserrat Lopez Memorial High School, pupils of Don Albino and Doņa Dolores Jison Integrated School and the Lantad Elementary School math club.
The group will have a courtesy call at the office of Mayor Jose Montelibano on August 11 to be followed by a guided tour to Balay Negrense, Jalandoni House, San Diego Pro-Cathedral and the public market.
Ver Pacete, tourism officer of Silay and president of the Association of Tourism Officers of Negros Occidental, said that Ikaw-Ako members will also meet Sagay Mayor Freddie Maraņon and see tourist attractions in the city.
Other attractions to be visited are Manapla puto factory, Negros Museum, Negros Showroom and Sunburst Resort.
Leo Canson, Ikaw-Ako Silay coordinator, said the group will also meet officials of the Provincial Environment Management Office (Pemo) in preparation for another mangrove planting week set on August 16 to 22 by another group of Ikaw-Ako volunteer in Silay and Sipalay cities.
