La Union intensifies protection of beaches

MANILA, Philippines - The provincial government of La Union has intensified activities to protect the pristine beaches of the province.

La Union Gov. Manuel Ortega ordered the provincial agriculture office to intensify the planting of trees appropriate for coastal barangays to complement on-going programs to plant 1,000 mangrove saplings along La Union’s coastal towns.

La Union has been adjudged by the Regional Development Council as regional champion on Coastal Resource Management.

Ortega said the protection of beaches in the province is in partnership with non-government organizations and local government units in order to sustain programs that are already in place.

An Artificial Reef Project has been established in Balaoan with the cooperation of the Department of Tourism and Holcim Philippines.

“The success of projects on marine protection in our province will be replicated this year in more areas. The municipality of Bauang and Holcim Philippines are now drafting a memorandum of agreement to install artificial reefs in its beaches,” Ortega said.

Ortega also said the Sangguniang Panlalawigan has denied three separate applications for mineral explorations along the coastlines of La Union.

“This shows how serious La Union officials are in protecting the environment,” he added.

The La Union Hotels, Resorts & Restaurants Association has also pledged to intensify its regular coastal clean-up activities.