Rehabilitating mangrove areas as key to disaster prevention

Two Rotary clubs in the district spearhead the campaign for environmental conservation and protection by pursuing efforts to rehabilitate mangrove areas in their respective communities.

The Rotary Clubs of Bongao and Bacolod Marapara recognize the importance of mangroves that serve as natural barriers in protecting coastal communities and protecting coastal ecosystems. These efforts likewise strengthen Rotary International’s focus on environmental protection.

Bongao club, led by president Surahaida Immak, partnered with the Philippine Coast Guard, the local government of Bongao and Rotaract club of Bongao in planting 500 saplings at the Boheh Basag Mangrove Rehabilitation Area. It was held in time with the celebration of the National Disaster Consciousness Month in July.

Part of its activity is the continuing campaign to inform and educate communities on the importance of environmental conservation and preservation. Pres. Surahaida also hopes this advocacy will inspire young leaders like the Rotaract to be more proactive in disaster prevention.

The club is dedicated to reaching out to more communities in mainland Tawi-Tawi with practical and sustainable community solutions that will have a meaningful impact that will change lives for the better, one community at a time.

Meanwhile, RC Bacolod Marapara gathered volunteers from the Rotaract Clubs of Marapara and Granada, Barangay leader Yolanda Noble, faculty members of the Medalla Integrated School, RAM Party, Bacolod Tugboat Services, Bacolod Reclamation Development Corp. and Batch 87 of the USLS Integrated School in planting a thousand saplings on the shore of Barangay Pahanocoy.

"Mangroves matter. They are a beautiful part of our natural environment and they provide an array of vital ecosystem benefits. This initiative is just the beginning of a series of environmental activities we are planning," says club president Rolando Corona.

Granada Rotaract president Michael Uhlmann added that he hopes the tree planting project will inspires more volunteers, especially young people, to help in answering the call for action when it comes to environmental support.