Iloilo coastal rehab covers 45 hectares
The coastal rehabilitation program of Iloilo province has already covered 45 hectares for the year.
The program has been implemented in the towns of Banate, four hectares; Anilao, five hectares; and Barotac Nuevo, 36 hectares.
Gov. Arthur Defensor Sr. said he still intends to further increase this year’s accomplishment by embarking on a massive mangrove planting starting early next year as part of his commitment to preserve the Visayan sea.
The province of Iloilo is one of the four provinces that signed the Declaration of Commitment and Action Plan on the Visayan Sea last November 20.
To realize this, a massive mangrove planting will be conducted through the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources next year.
Other signatories to the declaration to preserve and protect the Visayan Sea are Cebu Gov. Gwen Garcia, Negros Occidental Gov. Alfredo Marañon, and Masbate Gov. Rizalina Seachon Leanete.
Defensor said that aside from embarking on the massive mangrove planting, the provincial government will also buy more patrol boats that will be used by the Bantay Dagat in patroling the Visayan Sea, which covers 10,000 square kilometers from the Eastern up to Western Visayas.
The Visayan Sea used to be one of the most productive marine ecosystems in the Philippines.
A summit where participants will draft a strategic plan for the protection of the Visayan Sea will be held on December 7 at the New Iloilo Capitol.
Participants will come from the Maritime Command, Philippine Coast Guard, Department of Agriculture and the coastal towns of Iloilo.*PNA
