MANITO, Albay –– Team Albay Youth Organization (TAYO) Inc., together with the 2nd district congressional office of Joey Sarte Salceda, vowed to complete the planting of 40,000 mangroves, or “bakawan,” in the 20-hectare coastal village of Cawit in this town this year.
Alfred Nimo, president of TAYO, in an interview Monday, said the project started last March and was expected to be completed before the end of 2018.
“We are targeting around 40,000 bakawan to be planted in the area.” he said.
As of June, they already planted around 20,000 mangroves, according to Nimo.
“We also recognize the efforts of participating organizations for helping TAYO in the implementation of the project, specially the Philippine Navy based in Legazpi City, Philippine National Police of Manito, Boys and Girls Scouts of the Philippines, Bureau of Fire regional office in Bicol and Blurlane,”he added.
The project was funded by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), through the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office of Albay, with the total cost of PHP950,000. The fund covers the cost of planting materials and the incentives for the five local individuals hired to maintain the nursery.
Albay province was declared by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization as biosphere reserve in 2016.
The mangrove rehabilitation and reforestation in Manito is also expected to be converted into a tourist spot. (Mike Dela Rama/PNA)