A MANGROVE forest boardwalk will soon rise in Kawayan, Biliran, following the planting of mangrove seedlings and propagules in the town.
“Mangrove benefits us all. They are extremely productive ecosystems providing the first line of defense for coastal communities. They stabilize shorelines by slowing erosion and providing a natural defense against strong waves and storm surge,” said Eugenia Bautista, former head of the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (Penro) in Biliran.
Penro-Biliran handed over 1,800 tangal seedlings and bakawan propagules to Kawayan in partnership with the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (Cenro)-Sta. Rita.
The planting materials were sourced from the 50-hectare mangrove seed production area in Barangay Tinago, Calbiga, Samar, which Cenro-Sta. Rita maintained.
Penro-Biliran spearheaded the planting activity along with volunteers from the Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Protection, the local government unit, the Philippine Army, and the local community.
The donation of mangrove planting materials and the planting activity initiated by Penro-Biliran were in response to Mayor Rudy Espina’s plan of creating a mangrove forest with a boardwalk in the town.
“The Department of Environment and Natural Resources is always willing to support activities of the local government unit and any group or individual geared towards the protection of the environment and the safety of the community,” Bautista said. (SunStar Philippines)