OCENR leads propagules planting
The city government through the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (OCENR) recently spearheaded the mangrove propagules planting activity in the 65 hectare mangrove forest traversing the coastlines of Mampang and Talon-talon in observance of environment month.
OCENR Chief Engr. Reynaldo Gonzales mobilized students from the Zamboanga State College of Marine Science and Technology (ZSCMST), personnel from Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) District, Tetuan Police Station, trainees from the Philippine Public Safety College, barangay officials and tanods from Talon-talon and staff from the OCENR and City Agriculturist office to undertaken the day long planting activity.
The 65-hectare mangrove forest is co-managed by the city and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and is the city’s showcase for mangrove preservation and conservation program.
Mangrove forest is ecologically beneficial as its floral composition is efficient as carbon sink for food production and heat reduction in its immediate environment, according to
Dr. Eduardo Bisquera Jr., Environmental and Natural Resources (ENR) Division chief.
Likewise, he said, mangrove which is a type of intertidal forest wetlands, if fully developed, performs primarily its function as flood control mechanism and consequently an effective shoreline protection, erosion control and wind break. It can shield structures, crops or natural vegetation from damage by strong wind or salt-laden wind.
Bisquera stressed that there are main processes that occur within this type of forest: the binding and stabilization of substrate by its roots system and deposition of the vegetative matter which serves as food of the associated species; dissipation of wave and current energy; and trapping of sediments.
Meanwhile, city government employees representing the different line departments revisited adopted sites at the Maria Clara L. Lobregat (MCLL) National Highway from barangay Divisoria to Quiniput, June 25 as part of the continuing Arbor Day celebration. The revisit of the MCLL highway followed the successful mass tree planting activities and commemoration of century and heritage trees at the Abong-abong Park, in barangay Pasonanca.
The MCLL National Highway forms part of the “Green Philippine Highway Project” where the city is a signatory in the memorandum of understanding with concerned national government agencies. The revisit activity included replanting, installing tree guards as well as weeding as part of the regular maintenance work.
Other activities carried out during the month long observance of environmental month included tree planting with the Boy Scouts during the World Environment Day (June 5); information and education campaign and workshops for solid waste management in various schools including military camps; assessment / documentation of prospective century and heritage trees which were later officially declared and strapped with metal plates on June 25 and the city wide clean up drive dubbed as “Dia de Limpiesa na Zamboanga” June 26, spearheaded by no less than Mayor Celso Lobregat.
A total of 2,676 tree seedlings of mahogany and narra were planted at the Abong-abong park in Pasonanca during the Arbor Day na Ciudad de Zamboanga last June 25. (OCENR PR)