More than 200 seedlings of mangrove trees or known for their local name as “bakawan” were planted by police officers, fisherfolks and members of the local media.
The Police Regional Maritime Unit (PRMU) Mimaropa conducted the mangrove planting activity along Caluangan Lake in Brgy. Tawagan, this city, which was part of the celebration of the 23rd Police Community Relations Month,
This year’s theme was “Tapat na Serbisyo at Paglilingkod ng Kapulisan Kaagapay ng Mamamayan, Hatid ay Kaunlaran,”
According to Police Superintendent Pedro Enriquez, station chief of Maritime Police Station based in Calapan City, prior to the event, they coordinated with Loida Bautista, president of the Regional Advisory Council 4B for the conduct of the activity and to find the place where they could do the planting as well as find sponsors of the activity. Luckily, City Councilor Lorybelle T. Panaligan became their sponsor in the activity.
Among the participants who joined in the mangrove-planting activity were some police officers from Oriental Mindoro Provincial Police Office led by Police Chief Inspector Ferdinand Ancheta, officials from the Regional Marine Unit led by Deputy Chief Police Superintendent Eufrocino Morera. There were other organizations that joined the activity such as the Hanay ng Yumayabong at Umuunlad na mga Mangingisda (Hayuma) and other members of the Oriental Mindoro Media Club (OMMC).
Enriquez said that part of their mandate is to protect and care for the environment, as they are law enforcers tasked to patrol marine protected areas, particularly to prevent illegal fishing activities. (With report from Dennis Nebrejo/Luis T. Cueto/PIA-Mimaropa/Calapan)
