In a unique pre-wedding activity, 28 engaged couples from Saravia planted 1,000 mangrove seedlings at the Tomongtong Mangrove Eco-Trail in Barangay Tomongtong, E.B. Magalona, Negros Occidental, before participating in a Valentine's Day mass wedding ceremony. The event, which will be officiated by Mayor Marvin Malacon on February 14, 2025, is part of their involvement in the mass wedding organized by the Local Civil Registrar's Office (LCRO), led by Mercedes Recla.
The mangrove planting is part of a long-standing tradition, marking the 9th year that Valentine’s Day couples are required to engage in this environmental activity before their wedding day, according to Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO) designate Jojo Vargas. As part of the pre-wedding activities, Vargas conducted an orientation on waste segregation at home and the importance of mangroves in protecting coastal areas.
By participating in this event, the couples demonstrate their shared commitment to environmental conservation, particularly in protecting mangroves. Joining the couples in this effort were LCRO and MENRO personnel, who actively contributed to the planting and environmental awareness initiatives.
World Wetlands Day 2025 Celebration
On February 5, 2025, MENRO held several activities in Barangay Tomongtong to celebrate World Wetlands Day 2025, with the theme "Protecting Wetlands for Our Common Future." Around 300 participants, representing various organizations, took part in a coastal clean-up and planted 300 additional mangrove seedlings at the Tomongtong Mangrove Eco-Trail.
In support of the environmental efforts, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Central Negros Regional Office (DENR-CENRO) Bago City, led by CENR Officer Roseviel Dematulac, conducted a Dalaw-Turo Program. This initiative aims to raise awareness about the importance of wetlands and mangroves for environmental sustainability.
The program saw participation from DENR-CENRO Bago City staff, students from Tomongtong Elementary School and Jose M. Consing Memorial School, local officials, Barangay Health Workers, barangay tanods, and members of the Tomongtong Women's Association.
The Municipality of E.B. Magalona, under the leadership of Mayor Marvin Malacon, had previously been recognized for its wetlands conservation efforts at the 2024 EcoLuminaries: Abanse Negrense Awards, where the town earned three prestigious accolades: Top 2 for Excellence in Wetlands Conservation, Best in People-Centered EcoTourism, and the EcoChampions Leadership Award for MENRO-designate Jojo Vargas.