BONGAO, Tawi-Tawi — The Provincial Environment, Natural Resources, and Energy Office of Tawi-Tawi partnered with the Office of the Vice President to conduct a Mangrove Tree Planting Campaign held at Sitio Lambus, Barangay Mandulan in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi.

OVP delegates arrived on February 1 in Bongao to implement one of its programs called “PagbaBAGo: A Million Learners and Trees Campaign.” This program aims to establish a sustainable and prosperous future with Education and Environmental Stewardship.

On February 2, a total of 3000 Mangrove Propagules were planted at Sitio Lambus with the participation of OVP delegates, personnel from the PENRE Office of Tawi-Tawi, guests and participants from the provincial and municipal LGUs, law enforcement agencies, line agencies, and other stakeholders.

“Climate change and global warming are a natural phenomenon beyond human comprehension, as a breakthrough of its catastrophic effect of injustices and mischief pervading both lands and seas brought about by human activities… Let us all be reminded that we have to exercise the law of retribution and justice to all creations of God,” PENRE Officer Dr. Mohammad Monel emphasized in his opening remarks.

According to Monel, the action is part of anticipatory actions counter to the environmental urgencies.

“Nature is a blessed gift by our Almighty God with three functions: religious, economic, and social. It glorifies God, provides us with food and medicine, and serves as a source of recreation and enjoyment,” Monel went on to say.

The collaboration between MENRE and OVP signifies that a stable, strong, and secure future will only be possible if we start planting the seeds of knowledge in our children today.