Some 50 volunteers of the “Padayona Inday Sara” movement from various force multiplier groups in Negros Occidental conducted a coastal clean-up and planted 1,000 mangrove propagules on the shorelines of Barangay Punta Taytay in Bacolod City recently.
These included members of the Negros Occidental Anti-Crime Group, BITAGG Guardians, Anti-Crime Task Force, and Mata ng Kalsada.
Almer Buño, co-convenor of the Padayona Inday Sara Alliance and Broadcasting Committee, said they organized the activity to show support to the call for Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio to run for president in the May 2022 elections.
“We believe and trust in her capacity to become our next president,” he added.
The force multipliers displayed banners which read “Pwersa sang Suporta Pa-agi sa Pagtanom”, “Negros Para sa Kawsa ni Inday Sara”, and “Ang Salig Namon sa Imo Inday”.
Buño said they encouraged these groups to join the coastal clean-up and mangrove planting to preserve and protect the coastal environment and as a proactive way to support the clamour for the lady mayor to seek the country’s highest post.
He noted that when super typhoon Yolanda hit the Philippines eight years ago, many mangrove sites were destroyed. “We try to help to replenish and grow mangroves as they are important to fishery resources and migratory birds. They also serve as protection against soil erosion,” he said.
Christopher Andales, founder of Omega BITAGG Guardians, said they join the mounting calls for Sara to run for president. “Through our participation in the mangrove planting, we show our support for her. While the trees are growing, we will push for her to run to continue what her father, President Rodrigo Duterte, has started,” he added.
Andales also called on his fellow BITTAGG Guardians to support the Run Sara movement.
Engineer Julius Rainier Estares, co-convenor and national volunteer for Mayor Sara Duterte Alliance Negros, said they take part in social activities, such as mangrove planting, since these could create an impact to the public. “Through this activity, we hope to get our message across to Mayor Inday that with her as our leader, we can do more things for the nation for the good of the next generation,” he added.
Mary Jane Uma, a resident and store owner near the beachfront, said they welcome groups that plant mangroves as their efforts are beneficial to the fishing community in Barangay Punta Taytay.
“Mangroves serve as home to fish, shrimps and crabs. Our place also feels cooler with mangroves surrounding the area,” she added.
Another resident, Delia Despojo, who assists groups during mangrove-planting activities, said mangroves reduce flooding and provide more catch for fishermen. “This is a big help for us here. Let us help each other plant mangroves not only for us now, but also for future generations.”
A few years ago, the City of Bacolod signed a memorandum of agreement with the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office to develop the 20 hectares of coastal area in Punta Taytay into a mangrove plantation and environmentally-protected zone. – GB
