Mangrooves Planting CITE Rotaractors helps plant Mangrooves in Cebu Coastline

On board were seventeen members of a budding CITE club with a high-sounding name—Ecotone, whose primary aim to promote the protection of the ecological environment has taken its big leap through its mangrove planting activity.

Heading the group were CITE staff members Mr. Marlon Valencia and Mr. Jundryl Oplado and the DENR Chief of Coastal and Marine Section, Mr. Simeon Rossel, who gave the orientation about mangroves and their importance as nurseries for marine life. Says he: "Our mangroves are decreasing and it has great effects to our environment, that's why we are improving (some) areas (by planting) many mangroves."

The nature of Mr. Rossel’s work prodded him to call for restoration of mangrove habitat. Overwhelmed by the tremendous response from the education sector, he says, " I'm very happy that there are many students (from) different schools (who) are contributing a lot in this kind of activity."

In fact with his advocacy, a multi-purpose cooperative for mangrove planting was set up by locals to ensure that mangroves are protected and continually thriving in the shorelines of Tina-an, a neighboring barangay of Inuboran, where the mangrove planting took place. According to the Coop founder, Mrs. Erlinda Selim, "Before when we didn't have mangroves, we experienced problems during typhoons. Nothing would protect our shanties from the strong wind but when we started planting mangroves, aside from having a great catch, we are already safe during typhoons."

At exactly 12:30 p.m., the students went to the site bringing along around 2000 pieces of mangrove propagules (bakhaw seedlings) and started to plant strategically along Tina-an shoreline. After 30 minutes, it was mission accomplished. "We didn't expect that it was easy to plant mangroves,” a member of Ecotone said.

INCITE had the opportunity to interview the Ecotone officers after the mangrove planting.

INCITE: What have you learned from this activity?

ECOTONE: We've learned how important it is to plant mangroves because they serve as the nursery ground for fish. Even if the activity was tiring, it was still worthwhile. At least we were able to help the community and make a great impact to the environment.

INCITE: How did it feel to help save the environment? ECOTONE: It was very much fulfilling and we were having a lot of fun. It also strengthened the bond of our club.

INCITE: Any plan after this stint? ECOTONE: We're planning to pay visit to the site after three months and see if they are really growing. We also plan to plant trees in Balamban.

Now that Ecotone has finally committed itself to protecting the environment, it would surely attract other budding environmentalists in the school to join the group in its cause to restore the environment. Technology.

Writer:WENDELL P. AGUINOD Photographer:WENDELL P. AGUINOD