In observance of World Wetlands Day, the City Government of Zamboanga through the Office of the City Environment and Natural Resources (OCENR) spearheaded the planting of mangrove propagules within the coastal zone of Logoy Diutay, Talon-talon on February 2, 2023. This year’s theme, “Its time of Wetland Restoration,”  highlights the urgent need to prioritize wetland restoration and calls on an entire generation to take steps to revive and restore degraded wetlands.

During the short program,  City Mayor John M. Dalipe commended the OCENR for continuously undertaking initiatives to protect and preserve the environment. Forester Ivy Glaze T. Rebollos  of OCENR gave a quick orientation on the proper way of planting propagules  and advised participants to follow and observe their designated area/site during the planting. 

A total of 170 individuals from the Zamboanga City Government Employees Multipurpose Cooperative (ZCGEMPCO), barangay sector, uniformed personnel, Non-Government Organizations (NGOs), Civic Organizations and Academe participated in the tree planting activity. The participants have successfully planted 2,500 indigenous mangrove tree specie (Bakauan bangkaw) propagules at the spacing of 2 meters by 2 meters that have covered an area of 1 hectare of planted mangrove propagules.

– Fernandez, M. (2023)

Photo credits to Engr. Joann Rustia (OCENR)