ILOILO – In celebration of World Water Day on March 22, the provincial capitol recently planted about 500 mangrove propagules of the bungalon species along the shoreline of Barangay Alacaygan in Banate town.
“We must continue with our regular programs and activities like environmental protection amid the coronavirus pandemic,” said Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr.
The mangrove planting areas in Banate will be expanded next year, he added.
The governor spearheaded the activity together with Mayor Carlos Cabangal and Vice Mayor Jojie Undar.
According to Cesar Emmanuel Buyco Jr., officer-in-charge of the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO), only a few individuals joined in the activity in compliance with the physical distancing protocol to curb the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Also present in the activity were Alacaygan punong barangay Febin Bacruya and barangay officials, PENRO personnel and other capitol employees.
Prior to the mangrove planting, the volunteers conducted a coastal clean-up.
In 2019, the provincial government planted more than 1,000 mangrove propagules in Alacaygan under the Action for Regreening and Transformation for Climate Change Adaptation (ART for CCA) of former Gov. Arthur Defensor Sr./PN
