In celebration of the International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem, also known as World Mangrove Day, the Culion Foundation Inc. (CFI), in partnership with the Municipal Agriculture Office of Coron, the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office – Department of Environment and Natural Resources (CENRO-DENR), and the Balisungan Women Marine Protected Area, spearheaded simultaneous mangrove planting activities on July 26, 2025.
A total of 3,450 mangrove seedlings from various species were planted across three coastal barangays: Barangay San Nicolas, Sitio Balisungan, Barangay Tagumpay, and Barangay Marcilla. The event brought together around 105 volunteers and representatives from the Local Government Unit, Barangay Local Government Units, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), the Philippine Coast Guard, the Philippine National Police – Maritime Group (PNP-MG), the Department of Education (DepEd), the Municipal Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council (MFARMC), MPA management bodies, people’s organizations, women’s associations, 4Ps beneficiaries, fisherfolk, and the youth sector.
Before the planting activity, participants took part in a short Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) session and an advocacy campaign on the importance of mangroves and proper planting techniques. This ensured the seedlings were planted correctly to maximize growth and survival rates. The newly planted areas will be regularly monitored by CFI, the Municipal Agriculture Office, MPA management, and MFARMC to maintain a high survival rate.
Highlighting the community’s dedication to mangrove conservation, the Balisungan MPA Women-Managed Area has once again earned national recognition as one of the four finalists in the upcoming 2025 Para el MAR Awards for the Best Mangrove category, to be held on September 17–18, 2025.
Beyond the planting event, project partners are continuing mangrove nursery operations, cultivating important species such as Sonneratia, Bruguiera, Xylocarpus, and Ceriops. These efforts underscore the shared commitment to protecting coastal ecosystems and securing a sustainable future for Coron’s marine biodiversity.
