BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
About 4,600 propagules were planted in a 600-square meter area of Brgy. Latasan, EB Magalona, Negros Occidental, by BPI Bayan – Negros Occidental volunteers on June and October this year.
Following its similar successful project in Sitio Roma, Brgy. Batea, EB Magalona, BPI BAYAN Negros Occidental project dubbed as “Sidlak Sa Latasan” was replicated in the coastal barangay of Latasan in the municipality.
The beneficiaries of the program are 37 members of the Brgy. Latasan Fisherfolks Association (BALAFA) Cooperative and 17 members also of Brgy. Latasan Small Fisherfolks Association (BALASAFA) Cooperative.
Its first mangrove planting activity on June 4 was participated in by about 150 volunteers who planted 1,000 mangrove propagules, according to BPI BAYAN Negros Occidental head volunteers Ma. Eliza Paz Ebojo, Christine Marie Villan and Jean Annmarie Nombre.
Another 3,600 mangrove propagules were planted during the second planting activity on October 15, where 150 volunteers joined, Ebojo said.
Its active partners in the mangrove planting activity were the local government unit of EB Magalona led by Mayor Marvin Malacon, Latasan barangay officials led by Luisito Jomen, Brgy Latasan SK Council YES-O Club, E.B Magalona National High School YES-O Club, Tanza National High School, EN Magalona Police Station, Bureau of Fire Protection, E.B Magalona Kabalikat Civicom – Silay Chapter Kabalikat Civicom – EB Magalona Chapter Knights of the Columbus – EB Magalona Chapter Philippine Coastguard – PCG and PCGA 612th Squadron, LGBT EB Magalona, BPI Negros Occidental Branches, BPI AIA Negros 1, BPI M/S Insurance Corporation, and Negros Virtual Adopt A Mangrove Donors.
Last year, the Abanse Babaye Para sa Dunang Manggad Award was awarded by the provincial government of Negros Occidental to Ma. Eliza Paz Dioneo-Ebojo of EB Magalona, Negros Occidental for her exemplary contribution in environmental conservation, protection and rehabilitation.
The BPI-Victorias and Sagay branches “Oplan Save Tuburan” project in EB Magalona, where Dioneo-Ebojo is presently employed, was among the five grand winners of the BPI Bayan Projects several years ago.*
