The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology-National Capital Region (BJMP-NCR) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) held a tree-planting activity and coastal clean-up in Tanza Marine Tree Park, Navotas City on Thursday, March 2.
"Mangrove Planting and Coastal Clean-up Drive" aimed to stabilize the shorelines and reduce erosions. It is quarterly held in coastal sites, including Baseco Lagoon- Manila, Tanza Marine Tree Park- Navotas, and Las Piñas-Parañaque Wetland Park.
BJMP members conduct a tree planting activity and coastal clean-up at Tanza Marine Tree Park, Navotas City on Thursday, March 2. (Diann Calucin/MANILA BULLETIN)
"Marami pang mga areas na pwedeng taniman kaya lang nasisira na 'yung mga mangrove sa area na ito, kaya dito nila [DENR] nirerecommend magtanim at considering na marami ring mga trash na nadadala papunta dito (There are more areas that can be planted with seedlings, but the [DENR] recommended planting here as some mangroves in this area were getting destroyed and considering also the volume of trash here)," BJMP-NCR Director Jail Chief Superintendent Efren Nemeño said.
The activity was participated in by 80 members of the BJMP. They expect to collect more or less 200 sacks of garbage during the clean-up drive.
From left: OIC of DENR-NCR Coastal Resources and Foreshore Management Justin de Ramos, BJMP-NCR Director Jail Chief Superintendent Efren Nemeño, DENR-NCR Assistant Regional Director for Technical Services Engr. Ignacio Almira Jr. and Chief of Conservation and Development Division Aida Esguerra, and BJMP members (Diann Calucin/MANILA BULLETIN)
Nemeño said around 300 mangrove seedlings were prepared by DENR for the tree-planting activity.
"Ang mangrove ay bahay ng mga isda 'yan. Doon mangingitlog yung mga isda natin. And also ang mangrove nakakaprotect 'yan. Pag lumaki ang alon o pag may storm surge, naproprotektahan niya ang mga coastal lines natin (Mangrove serves as the home for the fish. Our fish will spawn there. Also the mangrove protects us when there are big waves or during storm surges)," he said.
The BJMP will also visit the planted seedlings at least once every quarter for its "Nurturing Activity" which is an operational inspection to check the growth of the planted mangroves.
"Kailangan natin i-nurture kasi 10 percent lang naman ang pagtatanim eh, 90 percent of that is nurturing kasi pag 'di mo i-nurture 'yong tinatanim mo, useless, tanim ka lang nang tanim, 'di mo naman alam kung tumutubo (We need to nurture the planted seedlings because planting is only 10 percent of the process, 90 percent of that is nurturing. If you don't nurture what you plant, it's useless, you're just planting, and you're not aware if it will grow)," Nemeño said.
Justin de Ramos, officer-in-charge of DENR-NCR Coastal Resources and Foreshore Management, said the coastal clean-ups are the short-term solutions to the community problem of waste disposal.
He said the DENR, in partnership with the BJMP and local governments, also conducts seminar and demonstration on the proper segregation of garbage.
"Estero rangers" or officers manning the drainage system were also deployed to communities to ensure that no garbage will clog canals and other waterways.
DENR-NCR Assistant Regional Director for Technical Services Engr. Ignacio Almira Jr. and Chief of Conservation and Development Division Aida Esguerra commended the BJMP for its active participation in the solid waste management campaign.
The BJMP and DENR called on residents of Metro Manila, especially those who live near the coastal zones, to participate and follow proper waste segregation and dispose of them accordingly.
"Dapat mas maging responsable tayo individually. Social responsibility ng bawat Pilipino ang linisin ang kanilang bakuran. Linisin natin ang kapaligiran na mayroon tayo kasi bahay natin ito, lupa natin ito (We should be more responsible as individuals. It is the social responsibility of every Filipino to clean their yard. Let's clean our environment because it's our home, it's our land)," the director urged.