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VOLU M E 3 N O. 2 JAN UARY - M AY 2 0 2 1
THE OFFICIAL STUDENT PUBLICATION OF JOHN B. LACSON COLLEGES FOUNDATION (BACOLOD), INC.
GREEN ON A BLACK SATURDAY. Youth groups went mangrove planting in Barangay Balaring, Silay City with a call to #SaveNegrosForests.
RUER TORCULAS
NegOcc youth begin 1st wave of mangrove planting BY RUER TORCULAS
On Black Saturday, youth organizations and other groups went green to mitigate climate effects in coastal communities in the first wave of mangrove planting activity, April 3 in Barangay Balaring, Silay City. The ongoing community-based project “Bakhawan para sa Katawhan” or “Mangroves for the People” is initiated by Mangrove Matters PH (MMPH) and Youth for Climate Hope, and is funded by Kabanatan: An Online Fundraiser to address issues and promote sustainable solutions through mangrove conservation and protection in Negros Occidental. According to Matthew Vincent Tabilog, a Marine Biology student of Silliman University and founder of MMPH, the activity can lessen the climatic impacts because of “carbon sequestration” and its role in protecting the coastal areas. “Ang mangrove, buffer zones ni sila, so
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for example, may potential storm surges nga matabo or may typhoons, at least ang coastal community ma protect sila,” he pointed out. Tabilog also reiterated that mangrove areas could provide ecological services like breeding and wintering grounds for both terrestrial and aquatic organisms, increase the fish production in the locale, and generate income in the community through its seedlings. “Kay what if may iban man bi nga organizations gusto man mag-mangrove planting so maka benefit man sila, at the same time mangin diverse ang gina tanom naton,” he said in an interview. The initiative consists of multiple waves of the mangrove enrichment planting activities in different parts of the province and a monitoring process to attain sustainability and management of the project. “Our goal is to plant 10,000 seedlings of mangrove at the same time to monitor para ma check gid kung ga grow or wala,” Tabilog said.
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Moreover, approximately 50 individuals volunteered for the project, and 1,500 ‘Avicennia marina’ seedlings or locally known as ‘Bungalon’ were planted in the zone. “Gusto man namon makabulig biskan sa amo lang ni nga simple nga butang kag also maka contribute man sa aton nga island kay para paano maka lessen man ta sang climate crisis nga gina pangatubang,” Maria Precious Gruspe, one of the volunteers shared. In an appreciation statement, MMPH also extended its gratitude to the participants and acknowledged the local community for agreeing in conducting the activity. “There is still hope in the minds of the people despite the fact that we are in a global health crisis. We should keep on moving forward in doing our acts of stewardship for our environment. The climate crisis is here, and many are affected, and we must act now.” MMPH wrote in a Facebook post.
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