A mangrove planting activity was held on June 1 at Palina Greenbelt Ecopark, Brgy. Cagay, Roxas City. Volunteers from Shell Culasi depot, Shell Lapus terminal, Shell Roxas station, Roxas City local government unit, PSFI; PDRF, and its implementing partner, Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), participated in the said activity.

“Like coral reefs, mangrove forests are extremely productive ecosystems that provide numerous goods and services, both to the marine environment and people,” according to World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). Unfortunately, in Brgy. Cagay, when Super Typhoon Yolanda hit, a number of mangroves were damaged. Hence, as per Belinda Garrido, Coastal Resource Management Coordinator in Roxas City, there is really a need for mangrove rehabilitation in the area. “This project will keep this place clean and green,” said Garrido. She also added that the project will contribute to the sustainability of coastal resources because the mangroves act as pollution filters. Moreover, the thick root frameworks of mangrove forests trap sediments streaming down waterways, sustaining the coastline and warding off erosion from waves and storms.

Shell's donation to PDRF not only covered the mangrove rehabilitation project, but also provided cash for work to 66 fisherfolks (from Brgy. Baybay, Brgy. Cagay, and Brgy. Culajao), who helped in planting propagules; approximately 105,000 were planted with a target survival rate of 85%. PDRF, through PBSP, will monitor the growth of the mangroves.

Through proper maintenance and care, soon enough, we will reap the benefits of our act of helping save Mother Earth.

By Marah Villanueva
Article published on PSFI news magazine October 2016 issue