CCENRO plants over 10T mangrove propagules

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CCENRO) planted over the weekend 10, 240 mangrove propagules at the South Road Properties (SRP), as part of its efforts to protect the environment and propagate marine life.

CCENRO Chief Reymarr Hijara said most of the propagules the CCENRO river troopers planted were of the Rhizophora genus.

He said that aside from their weekend mangrove planting activity at the SRP, they have also been planting mangroves in other parts of the city, including near the University of Cebu-METC campus in Brgy. Mambaling and at the Shell Island.

He said he hoped their efforts would not be put to waste by development projects.

“Hopefully dili matabunan sa development diha sa mga nag-develop diha. Mao na critical kaayo ang continuous communication between national government and LGU (local government unit),” Hijara said.

“Private entities in the vicinity are also undertaking initiatives to reclaim certain sites. Dili ta gusto nga ma-unhan na pud ta,” he added.

Based on the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ management handbook, mangroves provide nursery grounds for fish, prawns, and crabs. They also support fisheries production in the coastal waters while also providing humans food, clean water, research, education, and protection, tourism, recreation, and the like.

Aside from that, “mangroves also produce leaf litter and detrital matter which are valuable sources of food for animals in coastal waters and estuaries”. They likewise serve as recreational grounds for bird watching, aside from being good sources of wood and timber and nipa shingles.

“Mangroves also protects the environment by protecting the coastal areas and communities from storm surges, waves, tidal currents and or typhoons and by producing organic biomass and reduce organic pollutions in nearshore areas by trapping or by absorption,” read part of the handbook.

Hijara said there is also an interest in promoting fireflies in mangrove areas, not only for tourism but to help keep the balance in the ecosystem. — /RHM (FREEMAN)