By: Bennie A. Recebido
SORSOGON CITY, May 1 (PIA) – One hundred
(100) hectares of tidal mudflat was awarded by the
Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) here to the Seaweed
Grower and Aquaculture Association of Sorsogon, Inc. (SEAGRASS) in Brgy.
Gimaloto, Sorsogon City.
The SEAGRASS, a people’s organization
composed of fisher folks and farmers in Brgy Gimaloto, West District, in this
city, was chosen by the CENRO in coordination with the Sorsogon City
Agriculture Office as beneficiary in line with the National Greening Program
being implemented by the national government.
According to SEAGRASS president Redentor
Lasay, the 100 has mudflat is currently dominated by mangrove species like
bakawan, pagatpat, miyapi, lapis-lapis and nipa, among others.
“As per the initial agreement, the SEAGRASS
will serve as the steward of the site for mangrove development for 25 years starting
upon the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA). Inclusive of the
agreement is for the SEAGRASS to protect and develop, as well as, benefit from
the said area, where members will be allowed to harvest pruned branches of
mangroves and nipa shingles as well as aquasilvi culture yeilds, under the
supervision of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and
Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR),” Lasay explained.
CENR Officer Krisanta Marlene P. Rodriguez
said that the MOA is underway and will immediately be signed upon compliance of
the prescribed requirements by the concerned parties.
She also added that this week, BFAR in
coordination with Community ENRO will conduct assessment and survey of the said
mangrove project to determine the type of mangrove species suitable to the 50
has out of the awarded 100 has mudflat.
Propagules to be planted in the site will
be bought directly from the SEAGRASS members, and the growing of mangroves will
be monitored and taken good care by the members themselves for the span of six
months as per the agreement.
City Agriculturist Adeline Detera said, the
City Agriculture Office is set to establish a one-hectare Mangro-vetum, a mangrove propagule nursery in Barangay Gimaloto for
sustainability of the mangrove project and to showcase at the same time a rare
package of mangrove species both for tourism and educational enhancement.
Meanwhile, SEAGRASS is currently a
beneficiary of aquasilvi culture project grant of BFAR which includes seaweed
farming and green mussel (tahong) production which is soon to harvest anytime
in May this year. The project amounts to P150,000.
Aside from this, BFAR has also established
“hilay”, a fish breeding and shelter
area which at the same serve as protection against troll and dynamite fishing
and any other form of illegal fishing activities.
SEAGRASS was also granted by BFAR with 6.5
horse power motorized banca and a nipa hut for the convenience and smooth management
of the members of the organization. (BARecebido, PIA Sorsogon)
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