A total of 500 mangroves (Rhizophora sp.) were planted along the waterway located in Barangay Pandan, Bacnotan, La Union on February 16, 2024. This was a post-celebration of World Wetlands Day and a recognition of women’s leadership and actions in building sustainable communities.

The mangrove growing activity was organized by the Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University Institute of Environmental Studies (IES) and the Institute of Environmental Governance (IEG) in collaboration with the Municipal Government of Bacnotan, La Union with support from Fostering Education & Environment for Development, Inc.  (FEED).

The mangroves sourced from community partners were sponsored by Queen of the Point (QOTP) through FEED. QOTP is the premier global longboard surf event which aims to create positive space for lady longboarders to grow and improve their skill set through healthy competition and community. QOTP was recently held in San Juan, La Union, last February 1-5, 2024.

Various stakeholders from the municipal government, local community, and DMMMSU actively volunteered in the event.

Municipal Mayor Divine Fontanilla and Vice-Mayor Francis Fontanilla graced the event – a gesture of their commitments to environmental governance.

Mangroves provide essential environmental services such as habitat of fishes and other organisms, control erosion, and sequester carbon dioxide among others. Sustainable management of mangroves enhances environmental integrity as well as promotes food security. (By Celso H. Jucutan)