Beautiful people, beautiful place

A few weeks ago, my staff came back from an exploratory trip, looking for technology that can   save our forests. Searching the net, they came across Bakhawan Mangrove Sanctuary in Kalibo Aklan. They came back from the trip effusive. “Ma’am, you must go there. These people are amazing. They have been able to grow 50 hectares of mangroves from nothing to now over 200 hectares!” There were so many exclamations I decided to make the trip there together with my people from Sorsogon so that we could learn from the project. I am glad I went. So were my people.

Bakhawan

The major proponent here is Allen Quimpo who used to be mayor and congressman and now heads KASAMA (which stands for Kalibo Mangrove Forest Association). Due to his untiring efforts, what used to be a mudflat is now a 200-hectare mangrove that provides food and livelihood to eight barangays! I was so inspired talking to him. These are some highlights.

• The mangrove restored biodiversity such that birds not seen for 30 years have come back! International bird watchers identified 33 bird species. From an initial five mangrove species, the number has now reached 20!

• The mangrove has become a rich economic resource in terms of fish, shellfish, shrimp, crabs, even wood. They cut the branches and do charcoal briquetting. I bought 25 kilos of briquettes because it is better than charcoal, lasts longer and does not emit any smoke. It is also very inexpensive. When I was there I met with several individuals who had sizeable fish catches.

According to Allen, mangrove trees are the best species in terms of absorbing pollution from the leaves to the roots; thery’re the number one purifier of water — it is really good for water quality. I am so pleased with this because the plan is to put up mangroves along the Pasig river. Mangroves absorb heavy metals. The root system is hungry to absorb pollutants. It’s not like other trees, which are underground so their absorptive capacities are limited. Since the roots are outside, they are exposed to the pollution in the air and water. Likewise there is significant oxygen that is emitted by this 210-hectare forest.

The mangroves act as erosion control. Instead of the land being eaten by high water levels, it’s the reverse: the mangroves go to the sea and reclaim so new lands will appear. Mangroves prevent flooding and serve as protection from tsunamis.

On the social front, mangroves have helped in building community spirit. It has been invaluable in educating the community on the need to preserve the environment. They don’t cut trees anymore. Instead they use the branches, which have to be cut anyway, to allow the sun in otherwise the mangroves will die.

How did this happen? Allen said the first step was capacity building. They planted 20 hectares a year. In 1990, the initial cost for labor and material was P500,000 for 250,000 trees covering 50 hectares. Now the cost is P23,000 per hectare!

Allen then brought me to the nearby town to meet Governor Florencio “Joben” T. Miraflores and Mayor Gene T. Fuentes of Tangalan. That was another rich experience. I met the energetic vice mayor, who has served for three terms. Their municipal environment officer Glenda Sanchez presented to me their fish sanctuary. What a wonderful story. The to-be-emulated Vice Mayor Jed A. Tirol took the bold step of declaring Tangalan a fish sanctuary. Meaning the fishermen could not fish there. He almost lost his election bid as mayor. Imagine telling the fishermen not to fish!

What happened is in six years everyone started raking in the benefits of the fish sanctuary. The fish catch increased. Poverty went down from 38 percent to 21percent. So from benefitting illegal fishermen, now the sanctuary benefits so many more. I asked them to document it further. It absolutely makes sense to respect Mother Nature.

Then I met Governor Joben. That was another treat! He is so into agriculture and ecotourism. He introduced me to his wife, Lulu Miraflores, who is the mayor of another town called Ibahay. She had the guts and foresight to save a mangrove and to say no to fishpond applicants. The fishpond would kill the mangroves and benefit only a few. Now with this mangrove, many benefit. I suspect that there are many medicinal plants there. This mangrove was the brainchild of former Kalibo Mayor Allen.

I meet people like this and my heart spills over: there is hope for the country! These people really care and it shows. The people benefit. I love it.

There is a road now being built from Boracay to Aklan. Once it is done, I urge you to make the trip. It’s going through lush forests, visiting waterfalls, mangroves, being treated to great fish delicacies. I even liked their kamoteng kahoy. Beautiful people, beautiful place: if you are interested in more information on mangroves call Allen at 0928-5000076.

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Addendum: In my article on health last Sunday, I got a lot of e-mails saying that the cellphone number I printed was wrong. Sorry! Vita Clave’s cellular phone is 0919-2448840. She is good, try her out. Also In the week coming back from Kalibo I felt out of sorts with a heavy head feeling. I did oil pulling, took a shower and the heaviness immediately went away. So I will have to add oil pulling to my regular heal tips. I do this twice, at least once a day. Get VCO, swish it around your mouth for 15 to 20 minutes. Spit it out in a trashcan, brush your teeth. The process sucks bacteria out of your system. It’s one of the reasons my energy level is high, and I do not get sick.

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I can be reached at regina_lopez@abs-cbn.com.