THE Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in Negros Occidental-North, in partnership with the City Environment and Natural Resources (Cenro)-Bago City, Municipal Government of E.B. Magalona and Tomongtong Elementary School, planted at least 2,000 mangrove propagules at the coastline of Barangay Tomongtong in the said town on Tuesday, February 26.

The 120 participants are composed of DAR and Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) employees, barangay officials, and students-volunteers, among others.

The event was in support to the Expanded National Greening Program of the government.

Mangrove is among the commodities that was given prominence in the country’s campaign to combat climate change.

DAR Officer-In-Charge Chief Agrarian Reform Program Officer Ignacio Cabayao Jr., during the event, underscored the impacts of climate change and global warming.

Cabayao encouraged the participating sectors and agencies to help raise awareness on the preservation and conservation of the environment because “we only have one planet earth – one world. It is our earth. Our home.”

Punong Barangay Haydiginia Bendicion, for her part, thanked all who participated in the activity.

Some of the mangrove saplings planted previously were swept by the water thus, there’s a need for rehabilitation, she said.

Cenro-Bago Forest Extension Officer Dave Labinghisa, meanwhile, mentioned the commendable strong partnership between the DAR and DENR in the province.

Labinghisa said the DENR lacks funding for activities like planting of trees. But in partnership with other agencies, such initiatives will continue to thrive. (PR)