Forty-one high school students lead 175 participants in mangrove preservation.
Forty-one senior high school students from the University of St. La Salle (USLS) in Bacolod City, along with other participants from various sectors, took part in mangrove-planting and coastal cleanup activities at the Tomongtong Mangrove Eco-Trail in Barangay Tomongtong E.B. Magalona. The initiative, organized by the ABM Council of the Liceo Student Government, aimed to promote environmental conservation. The USLS participants, which included ABM students and faculty members, were joined by staff and volunteers of District Rep. Jose Francisco “Kiko” Benitez and members of the Tomongtong Barangay Council, Tomongtong Mangrove Eco-Trail Women Workers Association, and Tomongtong Fisherfolks Association. The activities resulted in the planting of 300 mangrove seedlings and a successful cleanup drive.
According to MENRO-designate Jojo Vargas, the USLS students were provided with an orientation on the importance of mangroves in the shoreline and marine ecosystem, as well as proper mangrove seedling planting techniques. In a show of appreciation, Matthew Louis Malacon, executive assistant to the mayor and son of Mayor Marvin Malacon, thanked the USLS students for their contribution to the environment and recognized the efforts of the fisherfolks and women workers in making the eco-trail an emerging tourist destination. Adding to this, Maia Lianza, daughter of the mayor and a participant in the activity, emphasized the aim of highlighting the municipalitys beauty and raising awareness about corporate environmental responsibility among future entrepreneurs in the industry.
Certificates of appreciation were presented to key individuals and organizations at the end of the program, including Mayor Marvin Malacon, MENRO-designate Jojo Vargas, Tomongtong Barangay Council, Tomongtong Mangrove Eco-Trail Women Workers Association, and Tomongtong Fisherfolks Association. The mangrove-planting and cleanup activities were also part of the 19th Provincial Wildlife Month celebration, as mentioned by Vargas. Notable attendees included Executive Assistant Debbie Ann Monte, Municipal Tourism Officer-designate Ma. Teresa Alvarez, HRMO head Isabel Armila Patrata, Local Youth Development Officer Joel Antonio, and Consultant Danny Dangcalan. This initiative exemplifies the collaborative efforts of different sectors in protecting and preserving the environment.
