ILIGAN CITY (PIA) — As part of the efforts to restore and protect vital coastal ecosystems, over 1,300 mangrove propagules were planted during a mangrove planting event held at Marcelo Fertilizer, Barangay Maria Cristina, January 31.
The event was an advanced observance of World Wetlands Day, celebrated globally every February 2, with this year’s theme, “Protect Wetlands for our Common Future.”
The activity, organized by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), through the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) Iligan and Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) of Lanao del Norte, gathered over 137 participants from 18 different private companies, organizations, government agencies, and environmental advocates.
The primary goal of the event was to raise public awareness about the importance of wetlands and to take direct action in restoring mangrove areas along the coastal areas of Iligan City. The city government has also set up a nursery in the area to ensure a continuous supply of propagules for future activities.
Saiben P. Mampao, officer-in-charge of the CENR Iligan Office, thanked the stakeholders for joining the activity. He also shared that they plan to establish a sustainable partnership through a Memorandum of Agreement with them.
Mampao also called on all stakeholders to unite in taking proactive steps toward environmental protection.
“I’d like to encourage everyone that protecting the environment is a responsibility of everyone. We cannot do it alone. We are doing this not only for ourselves but also for future generations. This is a noble campaign, and as stewards, we must protect the environment,” he said.
Meanwhile, Lanao del Norte Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer Arnulfo Osio highlighted the critical role of the community.
“Dako kaayo ang role sa community kay kita nga mga stakeholders, NGAs, parte ra sa pagsuporta nila. Sila gyud ang mag-una; kini dapat usa ka community-led activity. We hope this will be sustained para mapadayon ang pag-protect sa kinaiyahan, dili lang sa wetland areas kundi sa kinatibuk-an gikan sa bukid padulong sa dagat,” he said.
(The community plays a very important role because we, as stakeholders and NGAs, are just part of supporting them. They should take the lead; this should be a community-led activity. We hope that this will be sustained so that the protection of the environment, not just in wetland areas but across the entire world, from the mountains to the sea, can be adopted.)
Osio also discussed Project TRANSFORM, an initiative that aims to enhance local governance in environmental and natural resource management. This would bring together government agencies, private institutions, and other partners for collaborative action. Over the next three years, the project will focus on sustainable environmental protection and social and economic transformation. This project will begin with pilot projects in the towns of Bacolod, Kauswagan, Nunungan, and Munai, expanding to Iligan City and eventually province-wide across Lanao del Norte and in Northern Mindanao.
Some of the participating agencies in the activity were Petron Iligan Terminal, Global Port, PMO Lanao del Norte, Iligan Cement Multipurpose Cooperative, Republic Cement Mindanao Inc., Community and Family Services International, Ecosystems Work For Essential Benefits , Philippine Coast Guard, and the Philippine Ports Authority-Project Management Office in Lanao del Norte. (LELA/PIA-10/Lanao del Norte)
