About 8,000 mangrove shoots will be planted in Barangay Nagbalon in Marilao, Bulacan as part of long-term measures to improve the quality of water in the town’s major river.
Wilfredo Cruz, director of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) 3 (Central Luzon), said that 60 fisherfolk were taught how to properly plant mangrove shoots around the Nagbalon creek, a minor water channel of the Marilao river, which in total will cover a hectare of rehabilitated mangrove area.
“Mangroves can prevent storm surge, serve as the breeding ground for fish, and at the same time, protect the dike.”
“Mangroves can prevent storm surge, serve as the breeding ground for fish, and at the same time, protect the dike,” Cruz said.
Arlene Morales-Mendoza, officer-in-charge of BFAR’s Fisheries Resource Management Section, said mangroves could also improve the quality of water and help avert flooding.
“Makakatulong po ito sa tubig para maging malinis. Alam naman po natin ang kulay ng ating ilog. So, sa takdang panahon, kapag lumaki na ang bakawan, ito ay makakatulong para mag-recycle ng tubig. Makakatulong sa palaisdaan and at the same time, sa kapaligiran,” Morales-Mendoza said.
Marilao Mayor Ricardo Silvestre thanked the BFAR, citing the importance of mangroves in preventing soil erosion and flooding in the coastal areas.
“Napaka-importante ng bakawan dahil ito rin ay magiging lilim ng mga isda.”
“Napakahalaga ng bakawan dahil una, ito ay pinamamahayan ng mga isda. Kaya napaka-importante ng bakawan dahil ito rin ay magiging lilim ng mga isda,” Silvestre said.
According to BFAR-3’s Coastal Resource Management Unit, mangroves are expected to be fully grown in five to 10 years.
About one million mangrove propagules have been planted in some areas of Central Luzon in the past five years.
