KORONADAL CITY — Around 300 kilograms of garbage were collected from mangrove and coastal areas in Malapatan town, Sarangani province, during a cleanup led by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Region 12 (DENR-12) and the municipal government.DENR-12’s Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) in Sarangani and Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) in Glan, together with other government agencies and volunteers, carried out the cleanup.PENRO-Sarangani head Joy Ologuin said on Monday the cleanup was part of efforts to protect and maintain the mangrove areas.
READ: PH coastal cleanup yields 466,000 kg of trash nationwideOloguin noted that removing accumulated garbage and other debris from the coastlines helps improve water flow and prevents waste from blocking the growth of young mangroves.The activity also aims to improve the survival of newly planted mangroves, which serve as shelter and nursery grounds for fish, crabs, and other marine life.Healthy mangrove forests help support coastal fisheries and the livelihoods of fishing families. They also absorb and store carbon dioxide, making them important in efforts to address climate change.The cleanup is among the regular activities being conducted by the DENR-PENRO and the Malapatan municipal government to maintain and restore mangrove areas.The municipal council has also passed Special Ordinance No. 30, Series of 2026, amending an earlier ordinance that declares the first and third Thursday of every month as Mangrove Growing Day.
READ: Calabarzon cleanup hauls 35105 kilos of coastal wasteThe measure provides for regular mangrove planting, maintenance, monitoring, and coastal cleanup activities in identified coastal barangays.Personnel from the Malapatan Maritime Law Enforcement Group, Coast Guard Sub-Station Malapatan, and Bureau of Fire Protection, along with Bantay Dagat volunteers, took part in the cleanup.DENR-12 said the activities would continue as part of its efforts to protect mangrove forests and other coastal resources in the municipality./coa
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