TACLOBAN CITY- The mangrove rehabilitation project being initiated by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is now in full swing, beginning in this city.
This was revealed by Leonardo Sibbaluca, executive director of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-8).
The mangrove rehabilitation program of the DENR in the city is located in Barangay Anibong covering an area of 1.67 hectares. The rehabilitation started last April 26, 2014.
It was learned from Sibbaluca that the DENR has allocated P1 billion for this project which is to be implemented in all areas hit by Yolanda.
This is on top of the P6.2 billion allotted for the implementation of the National Greening Program nationwide this year, which also includes the rehabilitation of denuded mangrove and beach forests.
Sibbaluca said that the DENR, under the leadership of Secretary Ramon Paje, is now implementing a massive rehabilitation of the mangroves which were badly affected during the onslaught of Yolanda last November 8, 2013.
He said that the present mangrove rehabilitation project which uses more scientific techniques in mangrove and beach forest development to enhance the region’s defense against calamities will restore the mangrove stand in the affected regions in the country which includes Eastern Visayas together with affected areas in Region 6, 7 and 4B.
Sibbaluca pointed out that it has been observed and proven that the mangroves serves as buffer zones and protection in the super typhoon-affected regions as communities with mangrove and beach forest covers were protected from the adverse impact of the storm surges compared to those hardly hit areas which have bare coastlines.
He told reporters that for Eastern Visayas, his office has already conducted on the four major mangrove rehabilitation project components which are the site assessment and selection, nursery establishment, community and partnership engagement, and planting and out planting activities. (RESTITUTO A. CAYUBIT)
