Mangrove propagation center in Cordova

• Source: https://www.philstar.com/the-freeman/cebu-news/2018/03/03/1793073/mangrove-propagation-center-cordova
• Saturday, March 3, 2018

By Gregg M. Rubio (/Banat News Copy Editor/KBQ, The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines — To promote environmental sustainability, the Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC) is set to establish a mangrove propagation and information center in Barangay Day-as, Cordova.

Initiated by the MPIC Foundation, the groundbreaking ceremony yesterday also marked the 10th year of its Shore It Up! (SIU), the company’s environmental awareness initiative.

“SIU undertakes environmental issues in a holistic manner. We believe that for our environmental ecosystem to work, various marine and coastal supports must be sustained with livelihood programs and proper education on environmental awareness,” MPIF president Melody Del Rosario said in her project brief.

SIU is an environmental corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative of MPIF and the lead advocate for coastal community engagement of the MVP Group of Companies. It is actively involved in the sustainable development and restoration of the ocean’s natural resources by closely working with local government units of coastal communities in raising environmental awareness, providing alternative livelihood, and promoting eco-tourism.

As the P27.9-billion Cebu Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX) construction would start its construction in June, Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. President and CEO Rodrigo Franco assured to promote sound environmental practices toward sustainable development.

“We do not want our projects to be impeding environmental sustainability,” Franco said.

He said the project will contribute to the propagation of mangroves in the area where they will be operating.

Franco said CCLEX will transform not only Cordova town and Mactan Island but also the entire Cebu province.

While they are committed in providing infrastructure projects, MPIC president and CEO Jose Maria Lim said they are also environmentally conscious.

In her welcome remarks, Cordova Mayor Mary Therese Sitoy-Cho welcomed the establishment of the center.

“Over the years, we have successfully placed Cordova in the national tourism map, and I believe that gradually, we have also been winning the hearts of international tourists. We aim to make Cordova a place where both local and foreign tourists want to go both for business and leisure. To achieve this, we continue to include in our plans the development and protection of the natural beautiful spots endowed to Cordova, including our mangroves, which tourists seek to behold in our town. Thus, this project is very fitting to Cordova. MPIC, your investment is not put to waste,” Sitoy-Cho said.

She added, “we are blessed and honored to take a major part in your quest to rescue, restore and revive the coastal and marine environment.”