Guimaras LGU to launch coastal rehabilitation program
The municipality of San Lorenzo in Guimaras is now set to launch its coastal rehabilitation project that will cover the town's six barangays on Friday.
Mayor Jimmy Gajo said the activity will kick off with a mangrove planting activity in the half-a-hectare plantation site identified in each of six barangays namely Barangays Sebario, Igcawayan, Cabano, M. Chavez, Suclaran and Lebas.
The LGU earlier entered into a memorandum of agreement with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Department of Education (DepEd) to solicit their support to the project.
Under the agreement, the DENR will provide technical support and 15,000 seedlings composed of bakawan, bungalon and pagatpat species; while the DepEd will allow its Grades 4 and 5 pupils to become tree planters upon the supervision of their teachers.
The LGU will fund the establishment of the plantation while the parents are responsible for the maintenance of the plantation.
Mayor Gajo said the 2006 oil spill has affected the lives and livelihood of his communities, mostly fishermen and saltmakers.
"With this partnership, there is no room for the project to fail considering that the children who shall do the tree planting are supported by their parents and teachers," the mayor said.
DENR regional technical director Arlene Dalawis said the DENR was also responsible in training the children, teachers and parents on the blue environment and mangrove protection and maintenance.
Film showing about the successful tree planting activities in Banacon, Cebu was also held.
Other activities lined up for the coastal rehabilitation project are on-the-spot poster making contest and film showing on climate change. (PNA)