A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was recently inked between the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Capiz province and the Lawis Baybay Small Fisherfolks Association (LABSFAR), Inc. to establish a mangrove plantation at Cadimahan River, Brgy. Tanque, Roxas City.

A 600 square meters or 0.06 hectare patch of mangrove area was planted with a total of six hundred (600) potted Bakauan propagules in a 1 meter x 1 meter planting distance. This joint effort is aimed at promoting environmental protection and sustainability while helping mitigate the impacts of climate change.

This green initiative is a commitment of the Capiz Institute of Technology–Department of Arts and Trade (CIT-DAT) High School Batch '79 and will be providing the financial support while members of the LABSFAR, Inc. will do the maintenance and protection of the mangrove plantation.

“We commend the efforts of our academe such as that of CIT-DAT and private associations like LABSFAR in carrying out mangrove planting activities which eventually contributes to creating climate change resilient communities, especially in the coastal areas,” said Livino B. Duran, DENR 6 Regional Executive Director.

Eleven (11) CIT–DAT High School Batch '79 members were present during the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) held at Cadimahan Floating Restaurant and River Tour in Brgy. Baybay, Roxas City. The Agreement duration is until March 2023

The MOA was signed by OIC–Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer (PENRO) Joel L. Navarra representing the DENR Capiz, Hon. Hermenia F. Dillo, Punong Brgy. of Tanque, Roxas City representing CIT–DAT High School Batch '79 and Nelida Dela Cruz, President of Lawis Baybay Small Fisherfolks Association (LABSFAR), Inc.

Witnessing the said MOA signing was Engr. Marlon A. Bonite, CIT-DAT HS Batch' 79 member and Head, Provincial Environmental Management Unit of EMB Region 6 and LMO III Pascual I. Ongco, Jr., Chief, Regulation and Permitting Section.