THE continuing effort by the cause-oriented group held regularly by different NGO’s and other environmental advocacy organizations have influenced participants from the community to be more participative in the government initiative of protecting the environment.
This initiative is in consonance with the government’s priority agenda in giving assurance that our environment and our country’s resiliency and adaptation to the new normal of climate change.
The recent participation of the local community in barangay Población 1A in Ternate, Cavite made a significant impact to its people. The Department of Energy and Natural Resources (DENR) made a brief orientation, and the PNP Maritime group initiated the mangrove planting located on the riverbank nearby.
The Mangrove planting is building climate resilience among the coastal communities around the province of Cavite and encouraging other cause-oriented group in cascading the advocacy in the entire coast of the Philippines. The activity is a learning curve for the newbies who were interested in propagating the mangrove. The program is easy to implement and encourages communities to learn about the value of the mangroves in reducing vulnerability to climate change impacts.
The Akbay Kalikasan Environmental Society Management Inc. (AKESMI)/Project Luntian Cavite warriors want to positively influence the members of the community in improving the status of the province. By sustaining the planting of mangroves, the group are heavily promoting these kinds of activities aimed at reminding the people of the values of environmental protection and its care.
The AKESMI advocates do not stop to being creative, they extend providing knowledge in selective communities and in helping develop their entrepreneurial skills by converting recyclables into marketable use and partner with traders.
Other cause-oriented group are collaborating in these kinds of noble projects like the Kabalikat Civicom of Cavite, the 42nd Infantry and the Reserve Command Philippine Army, the local barangay, and the other volunteer group. You will feel the atmosphere of belonginess and pride in helping promote the preservation of the environment.
The entire province of Cavite has a total land area of 142,706 and 316 barangays are situated along the coast. The coastal area of Cavite is approximately 93,679.38 ha with a shoreline length of 122.57 km. with around 350,000 people living along the coast. The folks living in the area’s main sources of income are fishery, carpentry, and vending. These folks experience the impact of typhoons.
Mangroves as Revenue Generation and Eco-Protection
Noticeably, Mangrove areas are sources of sea products. Fishes, prawns, crabs, and shellfish are best source of income by the coastal residents of the province. Mangroves help in providing ecological services such as preventing erosion, shoreline protection, climate regulation, among others.
In the province, these places are identified potential sites for rehabilitation of approximately 276.81 ha in the areas of Cavite City, Kawit, Noveleta, Rosario, and Bacoor.
There is a need to help prevent the degradation of Mangrove Forests. The decline of mangrove forests in Cavite is due to the rapid conversion into fishponds, salt beds and building up of settlement areas. Some settlers use mangroves as wood for charcoal – making. Akbay Kalikasan (AKESMI)/Project Luntian Cavite as an advocacy group is recognized and accredited by Tanza LGU and General Trias City government. This cause-oriented group is guided by the GTC CENRO Head, Dr. Renato Escurel highly supported by Mayor Jon-Jon Ferrer. Relentlessly, Dr. Escurel continues to impart his expertise in helping the community be aware of the dangers of environmental degradation.
The initiative of the stakeholders in helping create awareness to help survive the decline of mangroves, is being addressed through the strong voices of the different advocacy groups, emphasizing the efforts mostly in Naic, Ternate, Rosario, Tanza, and Manggahan. These cause-oriented groups also lead mangrove coastal cleanup activities. (UnliNews Online)
