PERSONNEL of the Coast Guard Station Isabela conducted mangrove planting and coastal cleanup in Basilan province, a top coast guard official said Saturday, February 25.

Commodore Marco Antonio Gines, Coast Guard District Southwestern Mindanao (CGDSWM) commander, said the mangrove planting and clean-up were held Friday, February 24, in Sumagdang village, Isabela City, Basilan province.

Gines said a total of 200 mangrove propagules were planted and more than 80 sacks of garbage were collected in the 600 at the coast of Sumagdang village.

The marine environmental protection initiatives were supported by Coast Guard Sub-Station (CGSS)-Malamawi, CGSS-Central Pasangen, Marine Environmental Protection (MEP) Group-Isabela, K9 unit, Human Resource Management Unit (HRMU-CGS Isabela) and CGWCEIS-RCC Isabela.

The mangrove planting and clean-up drive are part of the 55th Founding Anniversary of CGDSWM pre-anniversary activities.

The anniversary is anchored on the theme "CGDSWM @55th: Sustainable Coast Guarding Through Dynamic Stewardship in Southwestern Mindanao." (SunStar Zamboanga)