DIPACULAO, Aurora — Some 2,000 mangrove seedlings were planted Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026, at the flood control project area in Barangay Lobbót, including the area behind the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), locally known as the People’s Park, as part of the municipality’s Arbor Day observance.

The planting was conducted a day ahead of Arbor Day in Dipaculao, which is observed every Sept. 11 pursuant to Municipal Ordinance No. 2014-09.

According to Allan dela Rosa, Public Information Officer of the Local Government Unit of Dipaculao, the activity was held early because there would be no work the following day.

The planting was led by the LGU under Mayor Danilo A. Tolentino in partnership with the Solid Waste Management–Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO), headed by OIC Mark Anthony A. Canasa, who also serves as Municipal Planning and Development Coordinator. Participating in the activity were Sangguniang Bayan Member Alan F. Tolentino and personnel from various municipal offices, as well as members of the Philippine Coast Guard Sub-Station Dipaculao, Dipaculao Municipal Police Station and Bureau of Fire Protection.

Despite the rainy weather, department heads and municipal government employees continued with the planting. Also taking part were Gabrielle Dustine P. Tabelisma of Aurora National Science High School, representing the Girl Scouts of the Philippines program, and on-the-job trainees from the Agribusiness Management program of Lyceum of the East–Aurora who are currently assigned to the Municipal Agriculture Office.

The Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office, led by Mrs. Rowena A. Asan, provided lugaw to participants after the activity. The LGU said the initiative highlights the shared responsibility of government agencies, organizations and residents in protecting the environment and promoting a cleaner, greener and more sustainable Dipaculao. Mangroves provide important coastal ecosystem services, including habitat for marine life and protection of shorelines from waves, storms and erosion. The municipality said the planting activity forms part of its continuing efforts to protect coastal areas and promote environmental conservation. (Jason de Asis)

📸 | Some 2,000 mangrove seedlings were planted on Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026, at the flood control project area in Barangay Lobbót, including the area behind BFAR, locally known as the People’s Park, as part of Dipaculao’s Arbor Day observance. The activity was conducted a day early due to the scheduled no-work day on September 11. Despite the rain, LGU Dipaculao personnel and partner agencies continued the environmental initiative. (LGU Dipaculao via Allan dela Rosa)