Natural barrier against storm surge
TACLOBAN CITY- More mangrove trees will protect Tacloban coasts few years from now after a tree planting activity took place in San Jose District.
Initiated by Barangay 88 officials, in partnership with Red Cross – Leyte Chapter, said activity was successfully carried out last February 24.
The village, to recall, was considered to be among the hardest-hit areas when Tacloban was pummeled by Super Typhoon ‘Yolanda’ almost nine years ago.
Forester Marito Barillo of the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) provided technical assistance during the mangrove planting activity as he also helped the team identify the appropriate area to plant the seedlings at Purok Timex.
According to village chairwoman Emelita S. Montalban, Red Cross provided them with a series of trainings and seminars on mangrove growing and its impact on environment resilience. More seedlings are being nurtured by barangay workers at their nursery for the next planting activities.
A brainchild of the barangay, this project which started rolling at the height of the pandemic, aims to protect their place from possible water surge during typhoons.
Mangroves, having been proven by experts to be beneficial to marine ecology, are seen to also strengthen the livelihood of roughly over 300 fisherfolks in the area.
Joining the Barangay 88 officials and Red Cross- Leyte in the environmental activity were representatives from the City Mayor’s Office, Aviation Security Unit 8 (AVSEU-8), Philippine Coast Guard, Fisherman’s Village Elementary Schools, Brgy. 88 fisherfolks, barangay workers, and Hiraya President Raymund Romualdez along with his staff.
(TACLOBAN CITY INFORMATION OFFICE)
