BACARRA, Ilocos Norte, May 30– A multi-sectoral group including local members of the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkasters sa Pilipinas (KBP) jointly planted this morning some 1,000 mangrove tree seedlings along the coastal area in Brgy. Natba, this town.
The mass planting of the mangrove locally called “Bakawan” was coordinated by the KBP with PENRO chief Engr. Juan delos Reyes Jr.
Others who joined the planting were students, town and barangay officials as well as volunteers.
Engineer De los Reyes said the planting will create a mangrove forest in the Natba village because it is prone to severe flooding being a water basin of all water volumes coming from the eastern towns of the province.
The mangrove forest, the PENRO head said, will serve as the village protection from storm surge and strong sea current. When grown up, the mangrove trees will be the breeding shelter of fish and favorite nest of birds, De los Reyes.
The Natba mangrove planting was the second project in the northern towns. First was the mangrove plantation in Brgy. Davila, Pasuquin in 2010. The survival rate is 99% as the Bakawan plants in Davila are fast growing, De Los Reyes added.
Bacarra Vice Mayor now acting Mayor Jonathan Ramit also personally joined the planting activities. As mandated by law, he said a memorandum of agreement (MOA) was signed by the LGU of Bacarra and the other concerned entities which seeks to help grow, monitor, protect and maintain the mangrove project until it fully attains the goal of a forest level.(theo s. guiang with reports from kbp members)
