The mangrove strips of two barangays in this town on Friday were replenished with new propagules (mangrove seeds) planted by Quezon Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) personnel and other government employees.

The PDRRMO, headed by Dr. Melchor Avenilla, conducted the mangrove planting activity in the coastal swamps of Guis-guis and San Roque villages in celebration of National Disaster Resilience Month (NDRM) this July.

At the orientation before the planting activity, Avenilla emphasized the pressing need for communities to learn to appreciate mangroves, which protect the land from strong winds, tides, and storm surges and value the importance of enhancing community disaster preparedness, strengthening risk governance, and investing in disaster risk reduction.

“Planting mangroves could reduce shoreline erosion as well as protect coastal communities against high waves, and help mitigate the impact of climate change,” said Avenilla.

He added that more than 250 mangrove propagules were planted during the event, and expressed optimism that all of the propagules will take root and flourish.

The Quezon PDRRMO is joined by members of the Philippine National Police-Quezon, Bureau of Fire Protection-Quezon, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology-Quezon, Philippine Air Force, Philippine Army, Philippine Red Cross, employees of the provincial government, barangay officials, and other concerned civic groups.

The NDRM 2023 carries the theme “BIDAng Pilipino: Building a Stronger Filipino Well-Being towards Disaster Resilience.” (PNA)