IN its commitment to protect the environment, the Naval Forces Central (Navforcen) planted 6,000 mangroves last Saturday.
About 100 Navforcen personnel and 30 Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) cadets participated in the one-hour activity.
Commodore Zyril Carlos, Navforcen commander, cited the role of mangroves in the ecosystem, especially at sea.
“Mangroves help mitigate the effect of typhoon surge by preventing the rush of rising waters inland. They also help prevent the siltation of bays, erosion of coastal areas and serve as a habitat for small marine animals,” Carlos said.
The mangrove planting was held inside the Navforcen headquarters as part of the activities leading to the 34th founding anniversary celebration of Navforcen with the theme “Katambayayong sa kalinaw ug kalambuan sa kabisayaan.”
Carlos said they are one with the Cebuanos in its advocacy in battling the effects of climate change.
Aside from the mangrove planting, 64 Navy personnel and cadets donated blood to the Philippine National Red Cross.
“Health benefits can be derived from donating blood. But what is more important is the thought that donating blood can save other people’s lives,” Carlos said.