E. Visayas included in P1B mangrove rehab project

TACLOBAN CITY — Eastern Visayas and other super typhoon Yolanda affected regions in the country will benefit from the massive mangrove rehabilitation project, amounting to P1 billion, according to a top official of the DENR-Region 8 recently.

DENR-8 Regional Executive Director Leonardo Sibbaluca said that mangrove and beach forest areas in Eastern Visayas, which were devastated by typhoon Yolanda, were set for rehabilitation with the use of more scientific techniques to enhance the region’s defense against calamities.

Sibbaluca said the rehabilitation of the mangrove areas in Eastern Visayas will be part of the P1 billion mangrove rehabilitation project of the DENR.

DENR Secretary Ramon Paje recently announced the government’s allocation of the fund for the massive reforestation of these types of areas across the country, including those in Region 8, said Sibbaluca.

“Although the funds is intended for disaster risk areas nationwide, Eastern Visayas is assured to get a sizable chunk from the fund considering the extent of damage on the mangrove areas wrought by Yolanda in November,” he said.

Sibbaluca said there were recorded testimonies on how mangrove vegetation save people during calamities, specifically Yolanda. The mangroves, acting as wind and storm surge barrier, suffered the brunt of the impact, hence the need for its rehabilitation, he said.

The rehabilitation in Eastern Visayas covers 38.5-kilometer coastline from Palo, Leyte to San Juanico Bridge, Tacloban City and other areas along the San Juanico Gulf in Leyte, Samar and Eastern Samar provinces, he added.