Coastal villages urged to plant mangroves

CEBU, Philippines - Two Talisay City councilors have urged coastal barangay officials to plant mangroves to protect the coastlines from erosion and to provide a breeding place for marine species. 

Councilors Antonio D. Bacaltos Jr. and Charles Basillote said barangay captains of Pooc, Biasong, Dumlog, Poblacion, Cansojong, San Roque, and Tanke should plant and nurture mangrove propagules.

Bacaltos and Basillote noted the importance of mangroves to coastal communities - particularly, protecting the coastlines from erosion aside from providing a breeding place for marine species.

“Mangroves are truly beneficial in terms of the ecological system as a whole and also their conversion to other very important uses. The mangroves play a very significant role in coastal stabilization and promoting land buildup, fixation of mud banks, dissipation of winds, tidal and wave energy,” the councilors said, who is proposing a resolution in today’s council session. 

Basillote also said the mangroves offer breeding grounds for fish, mollusks, and crustaceans.  (FREEMAN)