ILIGAN City ― To continuously advocate for natural resources conservation in the city, the Rotary Club of Iligan Maria Cristina spearheaded anew a mangrove rehabilitation and caring project, recently.
With theme Alalay sa Baybay: Kinabuhi Nato Tunhay, the mangrove rehabilitation, and caring is an annual environmental project of the club that started in 2007.
In close collaboration with the Rotaract Club of Iligan Maria Cristina, Rotary Club of Iligan South, Iligan Bay, Uptown and Iligan East, Philippine Army, ICPO, PCGA, DENR, Iligan City Eagles Club, and GSP-Iligan, around 2,000 propagules were planted in Bayug Island.
“We are here for the activity in support of the new area of focus of the Rotary International’s support for the environment. This project is a continuing project by the Rotary Club of Iligan Maria Cristina, mangrove rehab and caring,” said Rotary Club of Iligan Maria Cristina President Dr. Shine Barga.
She highlighted that the initiative is in line with their club’s primary aim which is to support environmental protection in the locality.
Barga further shared that they opted to conduct their activity in Bayug Island as the place is believed to be the most susceptible to soil erosion among all the coastal areas in the city.
Rotary International District 3870 Former Assistant Governor Rose Marie Ann Saavedra recalled that years ago before the project had its actual kick-off, such an area was barren and had appeared to be just a plain water body. From there, the club became the forefront in the rehabilitation of the island as they started growing their mangroves which were originally bought in the municipality of Kolambugan in Lanao del Norte since no mangrove could be obtained in the City.
Until now, the club still leads the same endeavor to uphold its consistent desire.
With the noble aim of the effort, other organizations expressed their joy to have had the opportunity to join and be part of delivering long-term benefits to the environment and the city in general.
“We are very lucky to be part of this because it is our passion and goal to serve humanity… Sa amo sa Rotaract, isa gyud ang pagmaintain sa place. We have this coastal clean-up project ug projects na related sa pagtabang sa earth. It is very relevant to help plant these mangroves to protect our coastal areas,” said Rotaract Club of Iligan Maria Cristina President Lady Grace Bagasol.
Saavedra also complimented the project as this is seen to be aligned to Rotary International’s environmental plans.
She further encouraged her fellow civil society members as well to strengthen their service to sustain the already-commenced environmental project.
“Ako nagahangyo sa atong mga kauban sa buhat, kauban sa pagtagad ug pagmahal sa atong kinaiyahan nga kung mahimo, ato pa gyud ni siyang ipalambo. Malambuon man siya karon pero ato pa gyud siya palambuon nga at least, makagather pa ta og more than a hectare para maextend nato ug mudako pa gyud ang area nga atong matamnan kay makatabang mana nato later on,” she said.
Apart from the mangrove planting, the Rotary Club of Iligan Maria Cristina also distributed five kilos of rice and food packs to the assistants of the activity to reward them for facilitating the success of the activity. (PIA-10)
