"A Million Mangroves for the Millennium" ProjectPosted by I Love the Ocean Cebu Association, Inc. on October 27, 1999 at 04:10:30: A MILLION MANGROVES FOR THE MILLENNIUM RATIONALE: For many Cebuanos, the sustainability of our marine resources spells the difference between life and death. The seas are the source of food for our municipal fishermen. Fish provides a large percentage of our protein intake. The sustainability of these resources is threatened by many factors, among them is the indiscriminate clearing of mangrove areas to make way for fishponds and reclamation projects. Mangroves are the habitats of fish and shellfish. When the mangrove ecosystem is threatened, the supply of fish and shellfish is, likewise, endangered. Greater Awareness. There is lack of information on and understanding of the value of mangroves. Many coastal residents find little use for mangrove plants except as Christmas trees. This need for information must be addressed through education campaigns on the function of mangroves in the coastal ecosystem and their importance to human beings. Food Security. The preservation of mangroves is imperative if we are to achieve the goal of food security for municipal fisherfolk, their families, and the entire Cebuano community who are dependent on marine resources for food. OUR VISION The project envisions sustainable mangrove reforestation in the coastal communities of Cebu Province. The reforestation project will be undertaken through the collaborative efforts of the different stakeholders, namely, Phase I: Mangrovetum. The initial phase of the project involves the development of a MANGROVETUM, an area to be planted with different mangrove species, intended for the scientific study of mangroves and for mangrove seed production. The idea of a mangrovetum is novel. It was conceptualized by Calixto E. Yao, a lover of mangroves and the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer (PENRO) of the province of Siquijor. Should the project succeed, it will probably be the first mangrovetum in the country. Pilot Area. The chosen pilot area a 6-hectare foreshore lot in Barangay Jugan, Consolacion, Cebu leased by the Go family and which the latter is willing to develop as a mangrove plantation. It is an ideal area for the mangrove because of its proximity to Cebu City, being only 16 kilometers away. The coastal area supports a small community which relies on fishing and gathering of shellfish for food. It is also the chosen habitat of migratory birds. Community Organizing. One of the components of the project is to promote leadership among fisherfolks to enable them to become responsible stewards of the mangroves which provide food and alternative livelihood opportunities for them. The I Love the Ocean Cebu Association, Inc. will undertake activities to organize the members the coastal community to prepare them for their leadership functions. Mangrove Reforestation. The initial reforestation effort will be undertaken by the maritime students of the University of Cebu, the municipality of Consolacion, and the fisherfolk. The project will solicit the support of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Philippine Navy to supply the mangrove seedlings and the technical assistance of their personnel. The project will explore avenues for soliciting financial support from concerned persons and entities. Coastal Resource Management Orientation. One of the essential components of the project is the holding of orientations on coastal resource management to interested organizations, communiities, professional associations and others. These orientations will be held in the training center presently located beside the proposed mangrovetum. The training center is also owned and operated by the Go family and can accommodate 30 – 50 persons. I Love the Ocean Cebu Association, Inc. The I love the Ocean Association, Inc. is anon-stock, non-profit organization registered with the Securities and Exchange Comminssion. Its membership of close to 5,000 in Cebu City is composed of students, faculty and professionals, among others. It is an active member of I love the ocean Movement, an organized action for sustainable seas. The organization provides ordinary people an opportunity to express their concern for ocean issues and to undertake collective action to help save our seas. As a member of the I Love the Ocean Movement, it is duty-bound to abide by the I Love the Ocean creed, translate the creed into action, and contribute its time and resources to promote the movement’s cause – the sustainability of our ocean and coastal environment.
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