The Cebu City government has allocated P1 million for mangrove reforestation along the coasts of barangays Mambaling and Inayawan to mitigate the effects of climate change.
Legislators approved a resolution by Councilor Nida Cabrera during the City Council’s Wednesday session for the allocation of the city’s share of funds given by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp for the mangrove-planting project that will be placed under the supervision of the Bantay Dagat Commission and the City Agriculturist’s Office.
Councilor Mary Ann delos Santos initially questioned the viability of mangrove planting, saying the city does not have a beachline or a mangrove swamp. “That will need a beach line or a beachfront and I can’t see any of those in the 80 barangays or even the waterfront barangays of Cebu City,” she said.
Cabrera, head of the environment committee, said the city government planted mangroves in islets located across City Hall like Tonggo Island. The mangroves which they planted a few years ago are thriving.
Mangrove forests are key coastal habitats, also called nature’s nurseries. Mangrove branches provide nesting sites for birds, and its roots below provide shelter for crabs, shrimps, oysters and mussels. It protects beaches from erosion and blunts the impact of storm and tidal wave surges.