Learning Why Mangroves Matter
BOHOL - During the discussions, Bohol Island Geopark Community Affairs Officer and Researcher Jairus Ismael Chiu introduced participants to the Bohol Island UNESCO Global Geopark and its diverse natural and cultural heritage. The discussion highlighted how CSOs can contribute through community engagement, conservation, education, and responsible appreciation of the island’s resources. BPEMO Technical Staff Arvin Chester Pagas also discussed mangrove ecosystems, including their zonation and the threats affecting coastal environments. Bohol is home to 26 recorded mangrove species across its coastal areas, making continued awareness and protection important for maintaining these ecosystems.
Planting New Mangroves Along the Moalong River
Following the learning sessions, participants put conservation into practice by planting 200 Bungalon mangrove seedlings along the Moalong River. The activity added a practical component to the CSO Week celebration while contributing to efforts to restore and maintain coastal habitats. Mangroves can provide important ecological functions along shorelines, making community participation valuable in protecting coastal areas. The activity was organized by the Bohol People’s Council in partnership with the Provincial Government of Bohol through the Provincial CSO Desk Office and Provincial Cooperative Development Office, demonstrating how civil society groups and government offices can work together on environmental initiatives.
CSOs Take Part in Protecting Bohol’s Coastal Ecosystems
Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) strengthened their participation in environmental protection through a mangrove assessment and replanting activity held in Loon on September 23, 2026. The activity formed part of the third day of the 14th Civil Society Organizations Week celebration, beginning with discussions at the Loon Town Square before participants proceeded to the Moalong River for a field activity. The gathering provided an opportunity for CSO officers and members to learn more about Bohol’s coastal environments and take part in a hands-on conservation effort.
