54,000 mangroves planted along the Iloilo River
The city government has planted has planted more than 50,000 mangroves along the Iloilo River over the last two months under the Iloilo City Mangrove Reforestation Project.
City agriculturist Jose Gil Parreñas, who oversaw the planting, said that there were seven species of mangroves planted at various portions along Carpenters Bridge and towards upstream areas. They are A. marina, A. officinalis, S. caseolaris, R. mucronata, R. styloza, R. apiculata and N. frutirans, which are identified as existing species within the river.
Parreñas said the planting is part of the environmental component of the Iloilo Flood Control Project (IFCP) and is done in partnership with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and China International Water and Electric Corporation, a contractor for the IFCP.
Earlier, Mayor Jerry P. Treñas and the city agriculturist surveyed stretches of the Iloilo River to see the mangrove situation along the river bank. Treñas also joined in some mangrove planting activities.
The mayor said the mangrove planting project must be supported because once the mangrove thrives, they become home to several species of marine life, which in turn will become beneficial to fisherfolks living along the area.
Parreñas also said that with the assistance of the City Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council (CFARMC) and with the members of the Barangay Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council (BFARMC), they were able to produce some 56,000 seedlings for the project.
The BFARMCs members include fisherfolk from the Iloilo River; Calumpang, Molo; Navais, Mandurriao; Sooc, Calaparan, Sto. Niño Norte, Sto. Niño Sur and Yulo in Arevalo; Ingore, La Paz and Hinactacan, Jaro.
Treñas said he has directed the city agriculturist office, CFARMC and BFARMC to look after the newly planted seedlings to enable them to mature and develop. (City Hall PIO)