Metro Pacific opens mangrove center in Pangasinan

The city of Alaminos and the province of Pangasinan can look forward to a more vibrant coastal ecosystem with the opening of the Mangrove Propagation Information Center.

A private-public undertaking between Alaminos City and Metro Pacific Investments Corp., the two- story center is set to open its doors to the public on Feb. 15.

Located in the coastal village of Bued, the 275-square meter structure comprises an information center and a view deck for bird watching, overseeing a 8.17-hectare mangrove area.

Started in 2013, the center will serve as the focal point for development of mangrove nurseries, the multiplication and planting of mangrove trees in coastal estuarine areas and the rehabilitation of degraded mangrove ecosystem.

“The mangrove is a vital ecosystem, and the Metro Pacific Investments Foundation is doing its share in protecting and propagating it through this legacy project of Shore It Up, our flagship environmental sustainability program,” said Metro Pacific vice president for public relations and corporate communications Melody Del Rosario.

She said the facility is envisioned provide information to visitors about the mangrove ecosystem, its benefits and how people can help propagate them.

Similar programs are also being carried out in Del Carmen town in Siargao Island and in Bohol to sustain the conglomerate’s environmental initiatives.

The mangrove ecosystem is made up of woody plant species associated with characteristic fauna and flora and anaerobic soils found in the intertidal zone.

Often referred to as coastal woodland, tidal forest and mangrove forest, they provide food and shelter for a diverse group of fish and shellfish and provide protection from storm surges and high winds.

Mangroves also serve as a wildlife sanctuary, and protect against soil erosion and sedimentation in the sea which degrade coral reefs.

With the center, Metro Pacific hopes to bring a longterm partnership to bring about positive impact on the environment, economic and socio- cultural life of Alaminos City and the province of Pangasinan.

Del Rosario revealed that the MVP Group of Companies is scouting for other communities in the Visayas to complete the nationwide presence of mangrove centers under the Shore It Up project.

The country’s longest corporate-backed environmental program, Shore It Up mobilizes volunteer scuba divers from the conglomerate’s member-companies to clean the seabed from non-biodegradable waste materials. It also taps local groups and communities to undertake a simultaneous coastal cleanup.

A vital component of the program is the Junior Environmental Scouts ( JES), a two-hour seminar involving elementary school students to inculcate concern for Mother Earth among the young minds through creative art.

Since its inception in 2009 after Typhoon Ondoy struck, the program has been held in various coastal areas such as Mabini, Batangas; Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro; Subic Bay Freeport Zone; Del Carmen in Siargao Island, and Panglao and Pamilacan Islands in Bohol.

Shore It Up has tapped more than 70,000 volunteers, and has partnered with some 300 local and national government agencies, community organizations, socio-civic groups, and private entities.

It is a recipient of the Anvil Award of Merit from the Public Relations Society of the Philippines for its sustained environmental program from 2011 to 2013.

Shore It Up was also accorded the Best Corporate Social Responsibility Program in the Corporate Governance Asia Award in the same period.