About 500 mangrove (pagatpat) propagules were planted at Purok Sea Wall, Brgy. Punta Taytay, Bacolod City at a mangrove planting activity spearheaded by the Negros Forests and Ecological Foundation Inc. and the Philippines Biodiversity Conservation Foundation Inc., in collaboration with the West Negros University and Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Community Environment and Natural Resources Office, a Philippine Information Agency press release said.

Education officer Mimie Ledesma of NFEFI-BCC said about 100 students from WNU took part in the activity, with some staff of the DENR-CENRO. This is part of the activities identified for this year's 5 th Provincial Wildlife Month celebration.

Before the planting, program manager Alexander Gunce of the Punta Taytay Mangrove Reforestation conducted a briefing on the importance of reforesting shorelines and the role mangroves play in achieving aquatic ecological balance, the press release said.

Gunce also explained how the academe and other organizations can forge ties with the local government unit of Brgy. Punta Taytay, and join hands in addressing mangrove denudation taking place in the shorelines of Bacolod City .

Curator-veterinarian Dr. Joanne Mae Justo of NFEFI-BCC emphasized the need to strengthen environmental preservation efforts from the mountains down to the coastlines, the press release said.

In 1987, a Swedish satellite showed that mangrove cover in Negros Occidental is only about 500 hectares.

Over the years, sustained government and non-government organization efforts, however, have improved the population of mangroves that biologists say serve as nursery areas for fish and protect the shorelines from erosion.

The coastal trees and shrubs also act as water filters and clear the sea of pollutants as well as protect threatened and endangered species, the press release added. *

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Mall sets food bazaar

Food enthusiasts are invited to the “1 st Home-Made Flavors”, at the Terra Dolce Mall, tomorrow until Sunday.

The food event aims to showcase popular family recipes, home-cooked Negrense desserts that grace family celebrations, a press release from the mall said.

Besides featuring food that Negrenses are known for, the bazaar also aims to provide opportunities to new and seasonal food entrepreneurs to take advantage of the Christmas season.

There is an untold number of home-based businesses out there that are only waiting for the right opportunities to find their way to the mainstream, the press release said.

Leading the line-up of possible food gifts are the capuccino bars, Cacaopuro tablea, choco-based cakes and pastries, organic food products and vegetarian recipes, among many others.

A special feature on Vegetarian Cooking is scheduled Saturday afternoon, the press release added.*

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SJI alumni turns
over wheelchair

The St. John's Institute Alumni Association turned over a wheelchair from the One World Institute to Mercedes Villar, 59, at MC Metroplex, North Drive , Bacolod City, Tuesday, a press release from SJIAA said.

Villar is an indigent resident of Purok Tapulanga, Brgy. Poblacion, Bago City , Negros Occidental. For 19 years, she has been suffering from weak-paralyzed legs due to diabetes and arthritis.

The turnover was supervised by the staff of the Department of Social Welfare and Development of Bago, the press release said.

The donation of the wheelchairs was facilitated by Charo Yu, executive director of One World Institute, in Makati City, the press release added.*

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