DFA CO Puerto Princesa Joins “Love Affair with Nature” for the Preservation of Mangrove Forests
CO Puerto Princesa personnel led by HCO Liza Jane V. Estalilla (front row, 5th from left) showing DFA’s solidarity and support for the “20th Love Affair with Nature” that was held on 14 February 2024 at Sitio Soliman, Barangay Iwahig, Puerto Princesa City. (CO Puerto Princesa photo)
PUERTO PRINCESA 19 February 2024 – Before the break of dawn on Valentine’s Day, CO Puerto Princesa personnel headed for the coastal area of Sitio Soliman in Barangay Iwahig, Puerto Princesa City to join other government agencies, NGOs, students, private enterprises and other residents of Puerto Princesa City in the annual mangrove planting activity popularly known as “Love Affair with Nature'' with “A Lifetime Commitment” for this year’s theme. This event is spearheaded by the City Government of Puerto Princesa and is held every 14th of February to restore mangrove forests that were degraded by natural disasters and illegal human activities. It aims to heighten public awareness on the vital role of mangroves in coastal ecosystems wherein they serve as nurseries for various types of fish, shrimps, spiny lobster larvae, insects and birds.
On this day, around seven thousand (7,000) seedlings of different varieties of mangrove trees provided by the City Environment and Natural Resources Office of Puerto Princesa were planted over five (5) hectares of coastal area in Sitio Soliman. Now in its 20th year, this project has contributed a great deal in making Palawan the only province in the Philippines with growing mangrove forests.
Aside from its environmental significance, the City Government of Puerto Princesa gave this Valentine’s Day event a romantic twist by conducting a government-sponsored mass wedding for couples residing in Puerto Princesa. City Mayor Lucilo Bayron officiated the marriage of a total of one hundred eighteen (118) couples during this occasion. The newly-married couples also joined the mangrove planting activity after the wedding ceremony.
Mayor Bayron remarked that the active participation of various sectors of society in Puerto Princesa is an expression of their love for nature and lifetime commitment to preserve it. END
