Phillipines: Mangroves rehabilitation project in full swing

Manila Bulletin Yahoo News 24 Aug 14;

Tacloban City, Leyte – The Department of Environment and Natural Resources office in Eastern Visayas (DENR-8) has announced that the mangrove rehabilitation in Leyte Gulf is now in full swing.

DENR-8 Executive Regional Director Leonardo Sibbaluca told local media here that his office is now undertaking massive rehabilitation of mangroves along the Gulf areas. He informed that the project is part of overall rehabilitation of mangroves in Eastern Visayas which were badly ravaged by super-typhoon Yolanda in November last year.

Sibbaluca told reporters that the project has already seen the planting of over 600 hectares of mangroves since June of this year.

He told reporters that rehabilitation of mangroves along the Leyte Gulf, which has a budget of some P38 million, covers over 9,800 hectares in towns from Eastern Samar to Abuyog, Leyte.

He emphasized that mangroves serve as natural barriers along coastal areas during calamities.

Sibbaluca explained that it has been proven that mangroves serve as buffer zones and protection from storm surge.

He said the mangrove rehabilitation project now being implemented in Leyte uses more scientific techniques in mangrove and beach forest development to enhance the region’s defense against calamities.