PTT to launch mangrove program in ’14

MANILA, Philippines - PTT Philippines Corp. (PTTPC), the local subsidiary of Thailand’s biggest oil firm, is seeking to replicate in the country Thailand’s experience in minimizing the effects of a storm surge after it was hit by a deadly tsunami in 2004.

In an announcement, PTTPC president and chief executive officer Wisarn Chawalitanon said the independent oil company will launch a massive mangrove-planting program early next year in at least two coastal towns of Cavite to help minimize the effects of a storm surge.

He said this was what Thailand did after it was hit by the tsunami brought about by the earthquake that hit the Indian Ocean on Dec. 26, 2004.

This could also be applied in the Philippines following the storm surge brought about by Super Typhoon Yolanda which struck the Philippines on Nov. 8. The death toll from the typhoon has already reached the 6,000 mark.

“We all learned our lessons from hat happened to Tacloban City and this is the best time to start working together to prevent the recurrence of a similar disaster,” he said.

PTT is in talks with several government and non-government organizations to support its environmental project that will be conducted in the coastal towns of Kawit and Noveleta in Cavite.

“I was told that these towns have perennial flooding problems and by simply planting mangroves in the area, somehow that can help protect the residents there,” Chawalitanon said.

He added that when Thailand was struck by a tsunami several years ago, mangrove trees helped mitigate the impact of a strong storm surges to some coastal communities by absorbing the force of strong waves and wind.

“Our experience in Thailand tells us how important mangrove trees are in times of a disaster like tsunami,” he added.

The Cavite-based Philippine Air Force 15th Strike Wing led by Brig. Gen. Galileo

Gerard Kintanar committed to support the Mangrove tree-planting in Cavite when Chawalitanon paid a courtesy call on him last month.