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Team Matalaw, a group of environmentally-concerned Batanguenos conducted a tree planting activity dubbed “Lusóng: Participate. Plant a Tree. Save a River”. The event brought together volunteer students and teachers from Batangas State University, youth community leaders, and other volunteers from across the province in the planting of 2,500 mangrove propagules or seedlings along the banks of the Calumpang River. The planting sites were Barangay Kumintang Ibaba and Barangay Cuta — the group’s two adopted communities, both in Batangas City.
The activity began at six in the morning with the volunteers converging at the two sites to plant the propagules on half-hectare planting sites on each barangay.
“Mangroves, or bakawan, have great importance in every riverine system. They feed and shelter diverse marine organisms, help prevent soil erosion, lessen water pollution in their own natural way, and act as sources of food and cures to some diseases,” explains Vaberlie Mandane, Team Matalaw adviser and management committee head.
Team Matalaw’s efforts to improve the conditions of the Calumpang River began in 2012 when it received a six-month funding grant from pharmaceutical giant Unliab’s Ideas Positive initiative, which supports youth-led organizations that aim to transform communities through innovative and sustainable campaigns of change.
Along with regular river cleanup activities, the group also partnered with its adopted communities to implement information and education campaigns that increase the awareness and engagement levels of Batangueños on Calumpang River rehabilitation efforts.
Prior to today’s activity, the group carried out a ten-day campaign to raise funds for the purchase of the needed 2,500 propagules. The “May Mararating ang PISO mo” campaign reached out to concerned Batangueños with a heart to help. Donors gave as little as one peso to help buy the 2,500 seedlings, which cost Php 1.00 each. The target of Php 2,500 was reached in less than a few days, paving the way for today’s event.
“The team calls it our PISO advocacy. We want to let everybody know that helping the Calumpang River can take as little as one peso from their pocket. It was also a chance for us to invite our volunteers to join today’s planting activity and take a personal role in fulfilling the promise of a cleaner Calumpang River,” says Claudine Faye Agno, coordinator of Team Matalaw’s Education and Training.
The event was made possible through a partnership with the Batangas City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, the Office of City Veterinary and Agricultural Services – Fisheries Division, KEPCO Philippines, and the Sangguniang Kabataan and Sangguniang Barangy of Cuta and Kumintang Ibaba. The organizers promised that it is the first of many planting activities in the future that aim to reclaim mangrove territories lost from environmental abuse and disregard. Capping the event was a boodle fight meal and a free-for-all videoke session to treat the volunteers for a job well done.
