300 fire volunteers plant 10T mangrove seedlings

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City’s barangay fire brigade marked their sixth-year anniversary with a mangrove-planting activity at the South Road Properties yesterday.

Around 300 fire volunteers from all of the city’s barangays, led by Capitol Site’s Barangay Captain Kelly Quijada, joined the mangrove-planting activity.

Councilor Joel Garganera who joined the activity yesterday said that they were able to plant 10,000 mangrove seedlings.

“In celebration of the sixth year anniversary diha sa atong mga barangay-based fire responders, nagtanom mi ug 10,000 mangroves atbang sa Inayawan landfill nga atong gipasira eight years na ang nilabay,” Garganera said via social media.

The activity was very meaningful for the fire volunteers who appeared seemingly unbothered by the heat of the sun.

“Init g’yud pero mukaon man gani ni silag kayo, karon pa ba sa init sa adlaw,” Garganera added.

Garganera thanked the fire volunteers for their tireless efforts in helping the city during fires as well as in protecting the environment.

Garganera, chairman of the City Council’s disaster and environment committee, emphasized the benefits of mangroves.

“Kini siya ang mangrove, natural barrier ni siya, sa ecosystem sa marine life diri… Breeding ground pud sa mga isda,” Garganera said.

Aside from that, mangroves are considered climate heroes as they “sequester carbon and contribute to climate resilience”.

They also protect against extreme weather and disasters, support biodiversity, and boost food security. — (FREEMAN)