DARRO VI goes Clean and Green in Dumangas

In celebration of the International Women’s Day, DAR Regional Office VI (DARRO VI) in coordination with the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO) of Dumangas carried out a Coastal Clean Up Drive and Tree planting activity at Brgy. Dacutan, Dumangas Iloilo on March 8, 2024.

The program started with a simple orientation from Ms. Danica Celiz, Community Organizer (Zoological Society of London based in the Philippines) and Richardson Medina, Project Officer/Biologist (Zoological Society of London based in the Philippines). They briefly discussed the ecological benefits of the activity plus the proper way of planting mangroves.

Environmental Analyst Flosel Almirante of MENRO-Dumangas expressed her gratefulness that DAR chose their locality as the venue to conduct the clean and green activity. She emphasized that these initiatives are very timely since the adverse effects brought by the climate change requires progressive action which focuses on the harmony of human and nature.

“We need buffer zones to protect our coastal area,” Ms. Almirante emphasized.

Amidst the heat of the sun and surmounting the difficulty of walking in the quagmire, the purple-clad DAR volunteers were able to plant mangroves and swept the coastal area clean from different human-generated garbage.

It has been known that the role of mangroves in protecting the coasts against natural hazards such as storms, tsunamis and coastal erosion has been widely promoted and established. Relatively, just as strong as the mangroves, the men and women of DAR Region VI headed by their empowered woman leader, Regional Director, Atty. Sheila B. Enciso will continue in their unwavering commitment and dedication to serve as the bastion in championing gender equality, uplifting the voices of women, and fostering an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive and attain success.