Bacolod City (24 November) -- About 500 mangrove (pagatpat) propagules were recently planted at Purok Sea Wall, Brgy. Punta Taytay during a mangrove planting activity spearheaded by the Negros Forests and Ecological Foundation Inc. (NFEFI) and the Philippines Biodiversity Conservation Foundation, Inc. (PBCFI) in collaboration with the West Negros University (WNU) and Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (DENR-CENRO).

NFEFI-BCC Education Officer Mimie Ledesma said about a 100 students from West Negros University took part in the activity together with some staff of the DENR-CENRO. This is part of the activities identified for this year's 5th Provincial Wildlife Month celebration.

Before the planting, Punta Taytay Mangrove Reforestation Program Manager Alexander Gunce conducted a briefing on the importance of reforesting shorelines and the role mangroves play in achieving aquatic ecological balance.

Gunce also explained how the academe and other organizations can forge ties with the Local Government Unit of Brgy. Punta Taytay and join hands in addressing mangrove denudation taking place in the shorelines of Bacolod City.

NFEFI-BCC Curator-Veterinarian Dr. Joanne Mae Justo emphasized the need to strengthen environmental preservation efforts from the mountains down to the coastlines.

In 1987, a Swedish satellite showed that mangrove cover in the province of Negros Occ. is only about 500 hectares.

Over the years, sustained government and non-government organization efforts, however, have improved the population of mangroves that biologists say serve as nursery areas for fish and protect the shorelines from erosion.

The coastal trees and shrubs also act as water filters and clear the sea of pollutants as well as protect threatened and endangered species.