By JOJO DUE
MACABEBE, Pampanga. - The Advocacy for the
Development of Central Luzon (ADCL), 50 Asian College of Science
and Technology (ACSAT) students and the local governments of
Masantol and Macabebe conducted the first mangrove-planting
activity last February 16 in Barangay Consuelo here.
This activity initiated the implementation of
the Pampanga Bay Development Project Program conceived by ADCL
in close coordination with the Municipalities of Sasmuan,
Minalin, Macabebe and Masantol as part of its advocacy in
developing the region.
Spearheaded by Renato Romero, the advocacy
group signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with ACSAT to
be partners in the implementation of the program.
The program has three phases beginning with
the Environmental Protection followed by Eco-Tourism Development
and the Development of a Marine Trade Center.
The project will benefit the four Pampanga
coastal towns. Included in the project's long-term development
plan for Eco-Tourism is the establishment of ferry trips and
cruises from Pampanga Bay to Corregidor Island in Bataan and the
SM Mall of Asia at the Manila Bay.
Students from ACSAT and ADCL officers planted
700 mangrove seedlings.
"Although what we are doing is a baby step in
the implementation of a larger development project, we are eager
and proud that we are part of this pioneering activity and look
forward to upcoming activities like this," Alvin Baluyut,
Rotaract-ACSAT president, said.
The groups hopes to establish a mangal, a
plant community and habitat where mangroves thrive. Once
established, the roots of mangrove plants provide a habitat for
oysters and help impede water flow, enhancing the deposition of
sediment in areas where it is already occurring.
Mangroves protect the coast from erosion and
surge storms, especially during hurricanes and tsunamis as the
massive root system of mangroves is efficient at dissipating
wave energy.
ADCL and the Masantol and Macabebe LGUs see
the mangrove-planting activity as a good start in realizing the
group's goal in the development of Pampanga Bay Area. Romero
said ADCL is open to all schools or organizations that are
willing to help in the project.
The students were also given a tour to other parts of the bay
later in the afternoon where they saw mangroves and the
potential of the place to become a marine trade center in the
upcoming years.
