Volunteers and government workers planted 800 mangrove propagules in the coastal village of Ablan in Burgos, Ilocos Norte on Friday.

Employees of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), Department of Environment and Natural Resources and Philippine Coast Guard joined the volunteers and community officials.

The Ablan mangrove site is part of the more than 23 hectares being rehabilitated in various coastal municipalities the province.

“The mangrove planting activity aims to not only enhance the biodiversity of coastal communities, but also foster a sense of environmental responsibility and stewardship among the people,” Vic Ines, provincial agrarian reform officer, told the Philippine News Agency in an interview.

Ines said the simple act of planting mangroves could help cool the environment while protecting communities from the adverse impacts of climate change, providing habitat for diverse marine life, reducing erosion and absorbing impacts of weather disturbances.

“This is also a form of bonding time of our staff in DAR-Ilocos Norte, which we do annually. We might do it twice this year in time for the rainy season,” he said.

Jay-Ar Tiguiamo, environment officer of Burgos, said village and municipal governments will monitor and nurture the newly planted mangroves to ensure their growth.

If left undisturbed, mangroves can live up to 100 years. The more they mature, the more they help the marine ecological system. (PNA)