TOMONGTONG Mangrove Eco-Trail in EB Magalona town, Negros Occidental marked its third anniversary with activities held from June 25 to 26, 2022, at the mangrove conservation area in the coastal village.
The activities include thanksgiving, beach parties, and the continued promotion of environmental conservation and protection initiatives.
Tomongtong sits on the town's coastal barangay, home to a vast mangrove plantation being maintained by the Local Government of EB Magalona.
Jojo Garcia Vargas, the town's environment management officer, was designated by Mayor Marvin Malacon to lead the anniversary celebration along with the village leaders.
Punong Barangay Hennie Bendecion, Kagawad Liezl Montano, Kagawad Jimmy Espacio and Sangguniang Kabataan Kagawad John Mark Pelegres were with Vargas in putting up the celebration.
Vargas said they are thankful for the continued development of the Mangrove Eco-Trail, wherein expansion and infrastructure developments are in the pipeline.
"We hold this thanksgiving party at the Tomongtong beach because Mayor Malacon wants to offer a celebratory ambiance for the locals, guests, and visitors, thus we had a live band - the Project Stop Band and DJ Kent Sam Biona who performed at the beachfront of the Mangrove Eco-Trail,” he said.
Beach goers, composed of the locals and visitors, had fun and enjoyed the beach party with friends and family.
He said the influx of tourists and guests has increased since it was opened to the public three years ago.
The famous blue crabs, Talaba (oyster), fishes, and other sea foods were a come-on to the guests, visitors, and locals because it's always fresh and tasty.
Tomongtong Mangrove Eco-Trail has a bamboo pathway surrounded by mature mangroves leading visitors to the beachfront. Going inside the eco-trail, one will be in awe of the serene ambiance that is natural to the place. Walking along the Bamboo pathways while looking around the Mangroves standing alongside is a pleasant experience for the guests and visitors.
Moreover, in celebration of the barangay clean-up day and under the Provincial Ordinance 005, series of 2004, the Barangay Kapitolyo conducted the coastal cleanup activity in Barangay Tomongtong, EB Magalona in collaboration with the Environment Natural Resources Office.
Vargas said the clean-up drive was held on June 22 to 23. The activity was facilitated by the Solid Waste Management Section of the Program Management Division of PMO.
"We would like to thank the 126 employees from various offices of the Provincial Capitol who actively participated in the said activity. They collected a total of 531 kgs of biodegradable, recyclable, residual, and special wastes,” he said.
He added that it is a practice at the Tomongtong Mangrove Eco-Trail to clean up the coastlines every day so that our visitors and guests will appreciate their experience of visiting the Eco-trail.