260 kilos of garbage collected in coastal cleanup; 17,000 mangroves planted

CEBU, Philippines - More than 260 kilos of trash mostly plastics were collected and 17,000 mangrove propagules were planted during the simultaneous coastal cleanup and mangrove planting activities to celebrate the World Wetlands Day.

The simultaneous events were held in Barangays Sta. Rosa, Olango Island, Lapu-Lapu City and Inuburan, Naga City. The activities were spearheaded by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources -7.

There were around 450 participants from the Lapu-Lapu City government, Barangays Tungasan, San Vicente, and Sta. Rosa, in Olango Island; Sta. Rosa Fisherfolk Association , Nagkahiusang Mananagat sa Talima, Sabang Olango Fisherfolk Association, Olango Island Eco-Tour Association, Smile Means Everything and students from the Systems Technology Institute - Lahug Campus, and Cebu Doctor’s University.

The participants were able to collect around 255 kilos of garbage along Barangay Sta. Rosa and planted more than 5,000 mangrove propagules in Olango.

In Inuburan, Naga City, about 12,000 mangrove propagules were also planted.

Isabelo R. Montejo, DENR-7 executive director, said that the Philippines is one of the 159 contracting parties of the Convention of Wetlands known as Ramsar Convention that are committed to the conservation and wise use of all wetlands.

With this year’s theme “Wetlands take care of water”, Montejo added wetlands are areas which acquired special characteristics from being wet on regular basis.

“It includes swamps, lakes, marshes, mudflats, mangroves and marine water. It is very helpful as it protects our shoreline from wave actions, mitigate the impact of floods, absorbs pollutants, and provides habitats for various plants and animal species,” Montejo said. (FREEMAN)