Navforcen celebrates anniversary, plants trees

AS part of its commitment to protect the environment, the Naval Forces Central (Navforcen) planted about 3,000 mangrove propagules last Saturday, Sept. 22 on the coastal areas of barangay Labogon in Mandaue City.

About 100 Navforcen personnel and residents participated in the two-hour activity.

Navforcen Public Affairs officer, Ensign Joseph Ison cited the importance of mangroves play in the ecosystem especially at sea.

“Mangroves help mitigate the effect of typhoon surge by preventing the rush of rising waves inland. They also help prevent the siltation of bays, erosion of coastal areas, and serve as a habitat for small marine animals,” Ison said.

After the mangrove planting, Navforcen personnel immediately proceeded to barangay Casuntingan in Mandaue City for the tree planting.

Navforcen planted 500 forest seedlings along Butuanon River. Mario Marababol of Ocean Care Advocates Inc. (OCAI) said the Butuanon River is one of the Cebu Central River Basin.

Ison said the activity is part of Navforcen’s 35th founding anniversary on Oct. 26.