MEDIA groups based in Zambales, Olongapo and Bulacan and various stakeholders joined in planting mangrove propagules and a clean-up drive at the Binictican Mangrove area in Subic Bay Freeport on February 10, 2023.
According to Central Luzon Media Association (CLMA) Zambales-Olongapo chapter president Vic Vizcocho, a total of 200 mangrove propagules were planted during the activity at the premier Freeport.
The drive was spearheaded by the CLMA and the Samahang Mamamahayag ng Subic Freeport (SMSF) and was joined by officials from different government agencies such as the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), the Subic Clark Railway Project (SCRP), New Clark City (NCC), and the Bureau of Customs Port of Subic.
The event was attended by Amethya Dela Llana-Koval, OIC SBMA Senior Deputy Administrator for Regulatory and Manager of Ecology Center; Carmela Reyes-Estrope, regional president of CLMA; Leilani Macasaet, BCDA Vice President for Public Affairs, and Armie Lamas, OIC SBMA Corporate Communications.
The local government of Subic, Office of the First District Representative of Zambales, and the Philippine Navy were also among those who took part in the mangrove propagation.
Among the private entities who took part in the activities with their representatives are Floreta Cana, Student Council President of The Manila Times College of Subic together; Micah Aquino from North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) Corporate Communication Team; Justine Jay Navarro of Subic Enerzone; Benjamin Antonio, President and General Manager of Subic Water and Sewerage Company Inc.; RP Energy, Fuel East Energy Corporation, Subic Bay I, Meglio Marine Services(SBIMMS), Aman Sinaya Water Refilling Station, GN Power Dinginin (Mariveles Bataan).
Vizcocho said that the SBMA Ecology Department provided the propagules needed for the mangrove planting, with Environmental Management Specialist Cenevix Maniago providing details regarding the mangrove propagules, guiding the volunteers on how to plant the mangroves.
After the drive, the group consisting of over 130 delegates went to the Pamulaklakin Nature Park where they learned from 80-year old Aeta elder “Tatay Kasoy” the basics of jungle survival.
The renowned Aeta has been the instructor of jungle survival for American soldiers stationed inside then Subic Naval Base.
Llana-Koval lauded the volunteerism conducted by the group, citing that she hopes more volunteers would take same initiative to help protecting the ecosystem of the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.
She said that both the government and the private sector have a stake in the protection of nature, and what better way to do so than by providing a platform that would unite the two sectors in a tree-planting program.
The official expressed her gratitude to the CLMA for spearheading the program, and to each and every company and volunteer who gave their time to help in planting mangroves and clean-up drive in Subic Bay Freeport.
