PGBh mangrove planting program strengthened

In the expanded mangrove planting program in the Province of Bohol targeting 1.5 million propagules for planting, about 30,000 mangrove propagules were planted in the towns of Getafe and Talibon, Bohol.
Remedios Regacho, chief, Fisheries Division, Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) said that there were 5,000 propagules planted in Nasingin Island, Getafe last Feb. 7, 2020; 5,000 were planted in Campao, Getafe last March 6, 2020; while 20,000 were planted in San Francisco, Talibon last March 13, 2020 and last Friday.
Regacho admitted the shortage of planting materials considering that the seasons of propagules to be matured will be in the months of May and June.
However, she said that the employees of the Fishery Section, OPA, have been bagging wildlings of various species of mangrove (Bakhaw, Pagatpat and Lapis-Lapis) at the mangrove nurseries in Sta. Fe, Albur and Canigaan, Loon.
She said that they prefer planting materials from the nurseries because the survival rate is 98% compared to direct planting of propagules which has 50%-60% only.
Regacho emphasized the importance of planting mangrove at the seashores because it serves as a nursery ground to nurture small fishes through planktons which come from the decayed leaves of mangrove; haven of sea shells, crabs and shrimps; provides protection against strong winds and waves, and provides livelihood through fuel or charcoal making.
She said that Bohol has been known as the biggest mangrove plantation in Southeast Asia of which the Banacon Island Mangrove Forest in Banacon Island, Getafe has an area of 425 hectares (has.).
The mangrove plantations in Getafe, Calape, and Loon are covered by National Protected Areas System (NIPAS) Act while the plantations in Albur, Loay and Loboc are areas covered by NIPAS act and Protected Seascape and Landscapeboth managed by the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) chaired by the DENR, co-chaired by the mayor and the barangay captain as member of the concerned locality.
Aside from the mangrove plantation, the PGBh aims to plant millions of trees and fruit trees.
It may be recalled that late last year thousands of fruit trees and endemic or native trees were planted in Ubay Water Service Cooperative (UWASCO) water shed areas. (Atoy Cosap)

MANGROVE PLANTING. Remedios Regacho (standing, 7thfrom left, top photo), chief, Fisheries Division, Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) leads the planting of mangrove propagules on March 6, 2020 in Campao Occidental, Getafe, Bohol which part of the Mangrove Planting Program of the Provincial Government of Bohol (PGBh) aims at protecting our environment. (Anthony Pastorfide)