PALO, Leyte – Maasin City records the longest mangroves stretch expanding from Barangay Manhilo to Barangay Combado.

Mangroves provide essential habitat for thousands of species and are the first line of defense for coastal communities. They also stabilize shorelines, preventing erosion and protecting the land and the people who live there from waves and storms.

Mangrove trees and shrubs grow in coastal intertidal zones. Mangrove forests grow at tropical and subtropical latitudes because they cannot withstand freezing temperatures.

Mangroves has many advantages and use: 1) it protect water quality by removing nutrients and pollutants from stormwater runoff before they reach seagrass habitats and coral reefs; 2) mangrove peat absorbs water during heavy rains and storm surge, reducing the chances of coastal flooding; 3) it provide nursery habitat for many commercial fish and shellfish, and thus contribute to the local abundance of seafood; 4) protect species that are the basis of a seafood industry, which provide employment and livelihood to people; 5) mangrove systems provide shelter to a range of wildlife species including birds, deer and honey bees; it serve as nesting areas for coastal birds.

The mangrove cultivation in Maasin City is made sustainable by continually creating mangrove forests. It is one of the major project of the city and is even both a source of livelihood and a tourism destination in Brgy. Manhilo, Maasin City.

Meanwhile, the city government continues its advocacy of creating mangrove forest to also protect the households and the community from coastal flooding and erosion while providing tourist destination and a source of livelihood. #NPC-CPD