CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- As typhoons Pedring and Quiel pummeled the coastal communities of Masantol town, what served as the first line of defense were the mangroves, which acted as “storm breakers”.
Pedring’s damage to the coastal communities of Masantol, particularly in the villages of Alauli, Balibago, Bagang, Sagrada, Niqui and Sapang Kawayan, could have been more severe without the mangroves.
Residents confirmed that the storm surges reached to rooftop level. They thought they will die and that the storm would wash out their properties, but damages were only minimal because the mangroves protected them.
In Masantol, mangroves that exist in affected areas are three to 10 years old and are found in the 28-kilometer stretch of the Pampanga River.
At the boundaries of Masantol-Macabebe and Hagonoy (Bulacan) are two patches of old mangrove forests, about 20 hectares, spared by the widening and dredging of the Pampanga Delta Development Project with funding from the Official Development Assistance of the Japan Bank for International Cooperation.
Among the mangroves that survived are the pagatpat or palapat aso, pototan, nipa and bakawan babae.
Residents in Masantol are grateful for the protection that the mangroves offered, and the reforestation initiatives by the community, students and teachers of the Tarik Suliman High School and the non-government organization Center for Emergency Aid and Rehabilitation Inc. (Concern).
With awareness rising, mangrove cutting has been reduced; while residents were convinced to protect them. Before, they cut the mangroves because they saw them as a nuisance and without value.
Former vice mayor Marcelo “Bajun” Lacap said, “Swerte ang mga may mangrove sa mga paligid nila. Naligtas ang mga buhay, fishpond at bahay sa mga alon dulot ni Pedring (Those with mangroves around their houses saved the livelihood, properties and lives of the residents). Without the mangroves all their fishponds would have been lost.”
“In contrast where there are no mangroves, the communities of Sapang Kawayan ang Niqui are now in danger. They are prone to severe flooding, high tides and storm surges,” Bajun added.
Mangroves play a vital role in the coastal ecosystem. They serve as breeding grounds and habitat for many living organisms that are sources of nutrients and organic matter; thus help maintain the ecosystem.
Mangroves also act as sanctuaries of birds of various species.
Moreover, mangroves protect fishponds from the strong waves of Manila Bay. The significance of mangroves can be gleaned from the fact that a hectare of mangrove forest can support more than 600 kilograms of naturally produced fish each year caught in near-shore waters.
Located in the downstream of the Pampanga River, the coastal communities of Masantol experienced flooding as high as 10 feet. Many evacuated to higher ground, in the dike and in the evacuation center constructed by Concern Inc.
With the destruction of fishponds, the residents’ recovery will take longer. They now depend on relief food packages and water from Concern’s partner organizations who responded immediately like Ateneo de Manila, University of Assumption and Kapampangan Manalakaran Inc.
Because the health of some is deteriorating, Concern Inc. assisted the communities by donating hygiene kits consisting of toothpaste, toothbrush, gentian violet, alcohol, bath and laundry soaps. It will also support the community with evacuation provisions such as water containers, kerosene lamps and plastic tents for the victims who lost their homes.
About 1,450 families benefitted from the serviced delivered by the organization last Friday.
Solar lamps with capacity to charge cellphones and radios to ensure they can monitor the location of typhoons were also included in the donated packs.
The Peace and Equity Foundation (PEF), a non-government organization based in Manila, supported the provision of hygiene kits and evacuation provisions.
With the mangroves playing a vital role during disasters, the coastal communities of Masantol are advocating to the provincial and local governments to make an ordinance that would ensure the protection of mangroves in Pampanga.
