The McKeough Marine Center of Xavier University- Ateneo de Cagayan conducted mini-trainings about introduction to mangrove rehabilitation in 6 coastal municipalities of Macajalar Bay. Seven (7) POs with a total of 150 local fisherfolk members from the municipalities of Kinoguitan, Binuangan, Balingasag, Cagayan de Oro City, El Salvador and Alubijid were already done with the trainings.

As part of the project goal of MANGREBAY project which is to strengthen the capacity of the peoples’ organizations (PO’s) to rehabilitate mangroves in the bay, MMC designed 2-day mini-trainings where the project staff directly visits the coastal areas along the bay to introduce to the community the significance of mangrove rehabilitation.

During the first day of the training, lectures about the importance of mangroves and basic identification of the different mangrove species were imparted to the participants. On the next day, they were introduced to scientific mangrove rehabilitation and then went to mangrove sites for actual field exposure.

             Mini training is important IEC platform which enhances the environmental knowledge of the local fisherfolks especially on mangroves. In the hope that the participants will also re-echo the learnings and skills they have acquired, MMC is inspired to continue promote and encourage sustainability efforts for our mangroves along the bay and generally, for our environment.

Mr Sean Alain Betonio, technical Assistant, discussing scientific mangrove rehabilitation in
Balingasag, Misamis Oriental

Members from Brgy. Buko Fisherfolks Association, participating on some activities during the mini-training in Kinoguitan, Misamis Oriental

Mangrove site exposure during the mini-trainings in city of Cagayan de Oro