MPIC’s Mangrove Centers: A boost to the country’s ecosystem Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC) launches its first mangrove center in Siargao and inks partnership with Alaminos, Pangasinan to build its own The Philippine Star 7 Dec 2014 For as long as people continue to work together for the goals set by Shore It Up! and concretized through the Mangrove Protection and Information Center (M.P.I.C.), its people can be assured of sustenance for its ecosystem and economy for tomorrow and the future. A year after record-breaking storms barrelled the country, the post-disaster realization that caring for the environment should be of utmost priority moved local governments across the country. Knowing that a dwindling mangrove population can pose a lot of problems, they have adopted a program that is seen to address the present issue of environmental protection and revival of the ecotourism industry. The current state of mangroves in the country According to the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA), as well as the National Food Research Institute (NFRI), a research organization under the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, the Philippines’ mangrove population has been going down at an alarming rate. With an average deforestation rate of 4,000 hectares a year, the country’s mangrove population has gone down from 375,020 hectares in 1950 (NAMRIA) to only 139,100 hectares in 1988 (NFRI). This decrease has been attributed to the improper harvesting of mangroves, which are used for charcoal or fuel wood production as well as forest clearing for fishpond development. By 1989, a total of 210,681 hectares of mangrove forests have been converted to fishponds (BFAR). Hence, it is time for an intervention. Shore It Up! and the M.P.I.C. program Shore It Up! (SIU), the country’s longest corporate-backed environment program, is a corporate social responsibility program of the Metro Pacific Investments Foundation (MPIF). The core activity of the program, which already has attracted 70,000 volunteers since 2009, is an underwater and coastal cleanup. SIU then evolved to adopting holistic approaches for environmental preservation through mangrove and tree planting, giant clam rearrangement and seeding, artificial reef restoration and environmental education seminars for volunteers, residents of coastal communities and their children. MPIC, the country’s premier infrastructure investment company, has signified a deeper commitment to rescue, restore and revive the environment by building three mangrove centers across the country. After the proponent’s namesake, the structure is seen to be a model of ecotourism, establishing a concrete presence of SIU nationwide. “We recognize the importance of addressing the dwindling mangrove population, said MPIF president and CEO, Jose Ma. K. Lim. “We are elated to partner with various LGUs across the country in pursuing a common mission of propagating and protecting mangroves to preserve the Philippines’ coastal and marine biodiversity.” Just recently, MPIC, represented by MPIF, signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the City Government of Alaminos, Pangasinan and the Municipality of Del Carmen, Siargao to build the Mangrove Propagation/ Protection and Information Center (M.P.I.C.). Under the agreement, the Center, through MPIC’s SIU program, will undertake the development of mangrove nurseries, the multiplication and planting of mangrove trees in coastal estuarine areas and the rehabilitation of degraded mangrove ecosystem, among others. Alaminos soon to build its own M.P.I.C. On the 25th of October 2013, the SIU team from the MVP Group of Companies witnessed the groundbreaking ceremony of the Mangrove center with the local government of Alaminos. To raise mangrove awareness in Pangasinan, the Center will also provide information both for locals and visitors about mangrove ecosystem, its benefits and how people can help propagate and protect them. For this project, MPIF will be providing funding for the infrastructure, which will amount to P4 million. The City of Alaminos shall make the center part of its tourist attractions wherein the community involved in the project will get to enjoy economic benefits. “One of SIU’s core activities is raising awareness about mangrove propagation,” shares Melody del Rosario, MPIC’s VP for corporate communications. “The creation of the M.P.I.C. in Alaminos is the one of the three centers that will be established in the country.” The first M.P.I.C. in Mindanao The overall mangrove cover of Siargao group of islands is approximately 8,600 hectares, making it the second largest in Mindanao. The Municipality of Del Carmen boasts of having a contiguous mangrove stand of more than 4,000 hectares, the largest in the Philippines. The vastness of the mangrove cover provides a good habitat for the saltwater crocodile which still occurs in adequate number compared to other places in the country. Blessed with rich natural resources and export quality goods, Siargao is definitely more than just a surfing destination. It stood its ground despite the disasters that hit the country in the past years because of its ideal location in the southern region and its contiguous natural mangrove row in place. A year after the implementation of Siargao It Up, the island’s own SIU program, continues with the Run for the Mangroves, the Environmental Quiz Contest and the inauguration of the first M.P.I.C. structure in Mindanao last November 15. Citing an immediate positive impact, the local government reported a significant decrease of mangrove wood harvesting and use down to 35 percent post-launch of the Siargao It Up campaign. This proves the effectiveness of the program and the mindset change that mangroves are for better use than ornaments or firewood. With the second Siargao It Up Run for the Mangroves, its newest partner, the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) followed through on its commitment to extend full support to ensure safety of all participants. Siargao It Up Run for the Mangroves participants have been sponsored by SIU to become official members of the PRC. “The Siargao It Up campaign of SIU has triggered a new wave of interest in island-wide collaboration to protect, preserve and improve the coastal and marine ecosystem of Siargao islands, including the 5,000-hectare Del Carmen Mangrove Forest,” Mayor Alfredo Coro II said in gratitude to the landmark project. LGUs step up with SIU’s first sisterhood program Talks abuzz about the city of Alaminos visiting Del Carmen, a fifth-class municipality of Siargao, to learn more about how they may actively pursue ecotourism through mangrove propagation and other industry opportunities. This new program aims to promote partnerships between MPIC’s LGU partners to create mutually-beneficial programs in line with SIU’s objective to “rescue, restore and revive” the environment. “Since we have a similar program for the mangrove in partnership with MPIC, we decided to bring our team to Del Carmen to learn more about the town’s sustainable mangrove forest protection program, mud crab culture and its tourism development thrusts,” said Mayor Arthur Celeste in an interview. He also committed to share to Del Carmen best tourism practices which their new partner may adopt. Mayor Coro replied, “While quite nervous, we are very happy and honored to be visited by the officials of Alaminos, Pangasinan. We are ready to share anything we can in support of our common goal for the environment and our people. We do look forward to learning from them as well.” PPP for the environment The country needs a healthy mangrove population to serve as protection from storm surges and high winds associated with tropical typhoons. They also provide food and shelter for a large and diverse group of fish and shellfish; serve as protection against soil erosion and land builder through soil accretion. They also serve as wildlife sanctuary and offer aesthetic, educational and scientific values. “We will be working together with the LGUs of Siargao and Alaminos to ensure smooth planning and implementation of the mangrove center projects,” added Joey Lim, MPIC president. “Your generosity towards helping us capacitate both the locals and the visitors to understand our fragile but rich ecosystem has given us hope and allowed us to dream for a better and more sustainable development for our country.” remarked Mayor Coro. Seen to promote true public-private partnerships benefiting the majority, spreading awareness about the true value of mangroves to the economy, people’s safety and ecosystem is the goal of M.P.I.C.
Posted on: Sun, 07 Dec 2014 02:36:10 +0000
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