By Erwin Nicavera/ PNA
BACOLOD CITY — At least 2,000 mangrove buds (propagules) were planted in the coastline of Barangay Tomongtong in E.B. Magalona during the activity led by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in Negros Occidental-North on Tuesday.
Chief Agrarian Reform Program Officer Ignacio Cabayao Jr. said they initiated the mangrove-planting to support the government’s Expanded National Greening Program.
About 120 participants led by employees of DAR Negros Occidental-North joined the activity, with partners from the Community Environment and Natural Resources-Bago, Municipal Government of E.B. Magalona and Tomongtong Elementary School.
Cabayao urged the participating sectors to help raise awareness on the preservation and conservation of the environment.
“We only have one planet earth — one world. It is our earth. Our home,” he said.
Tomongtong village chief Haydiginia Bendicion expressed her appreciation to all participants.
She said there is a need to rehabilitate the coastal area since some of the previously planted mangrove saplings have been swept by the water.
Tomongtong is famous for its abundant supply of blue crabs.
E.B. Magalona is Negros Occidental’s biggest producer of blue crab meat, with an export capacity of about five to 10 tons per year.
