Ocean Month observance, DENR-8 highlights mangrove protection

TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines — Mangrove protection was the focal point in the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Region 8’s annual celebration of May as Ocean Month.

DENR-8 Regional Executive Director Leonardo Sibbaluca told reporters here that the observance, now on its 15th year, centered on the mangrove ecosystem in the light of the devastation wrought by typhoon Yolanda last Nov. 8.

This year’s theme, “Mangroves Protect. Protect Mangroves,” is timely and significant, said Sibbaluca, citing Yolanda as an instant education to the people about storm surges and an awakening on the lack of protection in coastal communities from disastrous typhoons.

Mangroves protect coastal communities from strong waves and storm surges, help clean the air and water along the coastal zones, and provide food security and livelihood to the communities, thus mangroves is at center stage in the Ocean Month celebration, said the DENR-8 top official.

Sibbaluca also announced that motorboats will be distributed in three protected landscape/seascapes in the region—Guiuan town in Eastern Samar; San Jose in Northern Samar and in the Cuatro Islas of Hilongos and Inopacan in Leyte—for patrol works in protecting coastal and mangrove areas. —(FREEMAN)