2,000 mangrove seedlings planted in Pagadian

• Source:http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/1371448930139/2-000-mangrove-seedlings-planted-in-pagadian
• Wednesday, December 2, 2015

By Gideon C. Corgue (FPG/GCC/PIA-Zamboanga del Sur)

PAGADIAN CITY (PIA) – Committed to treating our environment with love and utmost care, a group of 200 people from national government agencies, local government units, civil society organizations, and other well-meaning citizens participated on Friday in the mangrove tree planting activity here.

Some 2,000 mangrove seedlings were planted along the wetlands mangrove area in barangay White Beach.

The mangrove tree planting is part of the lined up of activities for the celebration of Mindanao Week of Peace which runs from Nov. 26 to December 10.

Monsignor Foelan Echavez, Catholic convenor of Interfaith Forum for Solidarity and Peace (IFSP) also said the mangrove tree planting activity was “part of our massive wake-up call for everyone to protect and conserve our natural resources as an effective defense against the ill effects of climate change.”

“The activity is a symbolic gesture of a deeper commitment of our people to environmental protection,” he pointed out, adding “we take the keen interest not only in the cause of environmental protection, but also implement this ideal in action by encouraging the barangay officials and residents living in the area to take care of the planted mangrove seedlings.”

Meanwhile, City Councilor Cesar Dacal Jr., who represented Mayor Romeo Pulmones in his message said he was grateful to the IFSP for spearheading the initiative saying “it does not only foster unity of all sectors of society, but it also demonstrates a global concern for the protection of our environment.”

“We are stewards of the God’s creation. We care for the earth and act in ways that will restore and help protect the environment by planting mangrove trees,” Dacal urged.

As a gesture of support to the climate change mitigation and adaptation of the national government, Dacal disclosed that the Pulmones administration had strictly implemented Republic Act 9003 otherwise known as “Solid Waste Management Act of 2001” where institutional mechanisms for proper treatment of waste and waste disposal were introduced to the 54 barangays such as segregation, transport, collections, disposal and recycling procedures.

“Although at the start of the implementation of the project, it drew public resistance, eventually the constituents learned to appreciate its benefits,” he observed.

Dacal urged the participants to show to the world their love for the environment by actively doing adaptation and mitigation measures saying “it is our duty and responsibility to protect and preserve the earth that we live in not only for our survival but to save the future generation.”