Coast Guard District Southwestern Mindanao under the command of COMMODORE ENRICO EFREN A EVANGELISTA PCG with the Marine Environmental Protection Group – Southwestern Mindanao (MEPU-SWM) conducted a Mangrove Planting activity at a DENR reservation in Brgy Victoria, Zamboanga City on 16 January 2012.

The mangrove planting activity is in line with the Command’s continuing advocacy of protecting the marine environment and resources and of promoting the importance of mangroves as a sanctuary for marine species. It also supports global action againts global warming to balance our ecosystem.  Personnel of the said District from Marine Environmental Protection Group-Southwestern Mindanao, Field Station Southwestern Mindanao, Special Operation Group, Coast Guard K9 and Coast Guard Station Zamboanga with Barangay Chairman Feliciano G Revilla joined this mangrove planting activity.

A total of Two Thousand (2,000) propagules were planted covering the area of approximately one and half (1.5) hertares. The presence and action of the PCG caught the attention and awareness of the residents who later assisted and joined the mangrove planting activity. Revilla expressed his appreciation to the PCG for having the said activity in their barangay and assures that the mangrove planted will be monitored regularly.

COMMO EVANGELISTA commended as well all South Western Mindanao (SWM) personnel who joined this activity and for the their initiative for the protection of the Marine Environmental through mangrove rehabilitation campaign. Further, he informed his personnel that this will be a continuing activity of Coast Guard District Southewestern Mindanao.