Last June 25, 2011 in celebration of the National Environment month I participated in an event called "Mangrove Tree Planting Party" spearheaded by the SOCCSKSARGEN Bloggers and the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) of General Santos City at the Minanga Mangrove Forest Park in Buayan, General Santos City., South Cotabato. On this day I woke-up early and drove my motorcycle at City Hall Parking Lot across Puericulture Center. While waiting for some of the participants Bariles introduced me to some of the members of the SOCCSKSARGEN Bloggers by saying one's name appended with the blogsite. After how many invites of Bariles to me, this was the first time that I had ever appeared. Moments later we left the city hall and headed our way to the Bombo Radyo office, where Bariles left his car at the radio station and ride together with me. Poster designed by blogger: Rabsky Villanueva.
In less than 20 minutes of driving we arrived at the coastline and there were already around 30-50 participants who were already making themselves dirty as they help to save the environment by planting the mangroves. When on the park, we did not waste any single moment as we submitted ourselves to Sir Val Lastimosa of CENRO for the orientation on how are we going to plant the mangroves firmly so that it will not be easily removed if high tides arrived. During the orientation we were inform to walk barefoot on the coastline, dig a hole of at least half a meter or almost equivalent to our knee high, then carefully tear the plastic and removed the mangrove tree with its soil intact then placed them slowly on the hole which we had made while making sure that it will not get any mud on its leaves. Later on the mangrove was tied into a stick for added protection on the waves coming from the Sarangani Bay.
Minutes later, I had observed that the number of people had almost tripled an it was estimated to be that more than 200 volunteers from different sectors (public, government, education) joined the event: Passionists Technological Institute of Calumpang, NDDU-HS '85, Mindanao State University, Ramon Magsaysay College, Petron Corporation, Music City Videoke Bar, Philippine Airforce and Army, some mountain bikers and individuals from all walks of life. I had even seen one child together with his parents celebrating his birthday meaningfully as they planted trees as a family.
According to Sir Val more than 2, 000 mangrove saplings and 300 hardwood trees were planted. Actually the CENRO was not expecting such huge numbers and the event finish early as expected because there were no more trees to be planted. Sir Val also mentioned that on the far left side just a hundreds of meters from where we plant was a more than a hectare mangrove which was planted way back 2004 and now he was proud to say that it now contributes to the environment protection of the Sarangani Bay coastline and attracts some marine life as this will serve as there nursery ground.
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