By Minerva BC NewmanPIA-Cebu
The Philippine Information Agency (PIA-7) in the region planted
more than a hundred mangrove propagules and seedlings at the San Vicente Mangrove Plantation in Maribojoc, Bohol on June 25-26 as part of its team-building activity and in celebration of the environment month.
San Vicente Barangay Captain Rosalio Arocha in his briefing to the PIA-7 personnel said, the 56 hectares of Mangrove plantation in San Vicente, Maribojoc is a community-based sustainable project of the San Vicente Mangrove Association (SAVIMA) that has 50 active members from the community. The association manages its programs and projects that include Mangrove reforestation, handicraft livelihood and a one-day eco-tourism mangrove adventure package that the PIA-7 selected.
Part of the adventure was a river cruise that started at the Abatan River to the Tintinan Magrove plantation where a tour guide from the SAVIMA community briefed the PIA-7 personnel on how the province of Bohol manages its mangrove plantation through the efforts of the community with the assistance of other environmentally-oriented non-government organizations specifically in the capacity building of the local communities and the local government units in strictly implementing and enforcing various environmental laws.
The community-based SAVIMA in Maribojoc, Bohol started in 1995 to ward off big fishermen from encroaching in the area when they noted an alarming dropped of the local fishermen's catch of fishes, seashells and "Tacla," a local delicacy that has become almost an exotic food in Bohol.
Today, the Mangrove Reforestation and Plantation project of the SAVIMA in Maribojoc, Bohol is attracting thousands of local and foreign tourists that want to experience the real meaning of community-based management of projects that has been touted as Bohol's best practice in local governance.
The PIA-7 team was truly amazed at how the community treats their visitors the "Bohol vintage" way with the locals dressed in their native Maria Clara welcoming the team with hand-made recycled paper leis with shells as pendants and a sumptuous lunch (grilled Tangigue; clam soup with young coconut; mixed vegetables with the popular "Tacla"; various seashells and local fruits).
After a wholesome lunch treat, the PIA-7 team dared the 2-km boardwalk beneath the healthy growth of mangrove plantation to the Titinan bay where each staff was given mangrove propagules and seedlings to be planted in the area.
The team called it a day with pleasant sand, sea swimming and soaking at the white sand beaches of AlonaLand in Panglao, Bohol until dusk. To fill the empty stomachs, the team capped the night with a "Budol fight" dinner and a hilarious "card-reading" of Juju Manubag's future.
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