The International Volunteer Day was adopted and established by the United Nations General Assembly on December 17, 1985. Since then, thousands of events held worldwide to pay tribute to the spirit of volunteerism.

This year’s theme of Volunteering for our Planet is an opportune given the recent blitz of tropical typhoons and the climate change we are currently facing. In Cebu, the organizing team composed of the CCEF (Coastal Conservation and Education Foundation) and the Rotaract Club of Mactan – CITE Chapter headed by Kenneth Sotto, VSO Bahaginan returned volunteer, decided to have a mangrove propagule planting in the Cebu Provincial Nursery.

Mangroves in the Philippines

Over 310,000 hectares of the country's mangrove lost in 75 years

Mangrove trees have continually been cut over the years had spoiled fisheries resources. In 1918, the Philippines has an estimated 450,000 hectares of mangrove cover. After 75 years, over 310,000 hectares of the country’s mangrove cover has been lost due to cutting, conversation of mangrove swamps to fishponds, and in general, poor management by communities and local governments.

Mangroves play an important role in maintaining the ecological balance of the coastal ecosystem. Mangrove forests act as sieves in the coasts on sea grass beds and fragile coral reefs. Aside from promoting clear water for the growth of corals and sea grass mangrove roots serve as hiding places for young animals and fishes, the
branches and leaves provide shelter for birds and wildlife. Mangrove leaves fall and decompose into microscopic detritus that serve as food for animals and fish in the mangrove areas. Aside form this, the crown and stem of mangrove trees serve as physical barriers that absorb the force of winds and waves that can cause
damages to the coastal communities.

Most of the Cebu Province’s mangroves have been lost to land reclamation, fishpond development, industrial pollution, and other related causes. The decline mangrove ecosystem has caused a decline in fish production and overall catch in municipalities. For every hectare of mangrove cut down, approximately 1.08 tons per hectare of fish catch per year is reduced.

The organizing team gathered volunteers and gained support and participation from the various Rotary Clubs in Cebu, Island Souvenirs, Bigfoot Foundation, Adam Jennies Christian Learning Center, Australian Youth Ambassadors for Development, Global Xchange–VSO and Coastal Conservation and Education Foundation, Inc.

The volunteers had proper orientation on the importance of mangroves and the significance of the activity before the start of the planting. After three hours the volunteers were able to prepare 3000 seed bags and planted 3600 mangrove propagules in the Cebu Provincial Nursery. After three months, we will be transferring the seedlings into the wild. The International Volunteer Day was generously sponsored by CCEF and the Rotary Club of Mactan.

IVD events made possible by generous contributions of: