Forum-Worshop on Mangrove Conservation Held

A forum-worshop entitled "Marine Ecology and Mangrove Conservation: Where is Capiz Leading to?" was spearheaded by the Rotary Club of Roxas on September 7, 2007 at the Hall of Governor's, Capiz Provincial Capitol. This was attended by 50 different multisectoral representatives of the city, both private and public. Dr. Andre Jon Uychiaco, a marine biologist from the Marine Science Institute, UP-Diliman, was the lecturer/facilitator during the said activity.
The forum was opened by Dr. Jocelyn Mosquete, director for special projects, who emphatically emphasized the club's enthusiasm and commitment to preserve the environment, particulary of Roxas City and Capiz. Mr.Pedro Molina of the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) presented the status of the mangrove ecosystem of Capiz, while City Agriculturist Buddy Borda reported the progress of the Mangrove Greenbelt project which was recently launched with the Rotary Club of Roxas and the Philippine Academy of Family Physicians as partners.
Dr. Uychiaoco started the workshop with a short video on a success story of now the biggest mangrove forest in Asia, in Banacon Island, Gestafe, Bohol. This was followed by a short lecture on the need for mangrove conservation and reforestation, as well as the problems that may be encountered with such project. The big group was later divided into 3 workshop groups who were tasked to identify social, bio-technical and economic aspects that should be prioritized and implemented.
The club, through Rotarian Powell del Rosario, chairman for special projects (environment), reiterated its commitment to this endeavor and took the initiative to organize the core group that will materialize the plans discussed in the workshop.