TO EMPOWER civil organizations and boost efforts to save mangroves, the Ateneo de Cagayan conducted training on mangrove rehabilitation in six coastal municipalities near Macajalar Bay in Misamis Oriental.

The university’s McKeough Marine Center rolled out its “MANGREBEY Project” which seeks to strengthen the capacity of the peoples’ organizations to rehabilitate mangroves in the bay.

The two-day mini-trainings included lectures on the importance of mangroves, identification of species and the significance of rehabilitation efforts.

Mangrove sites were also visited.

“Mini-training is an important information education campaign platform which enhances the environmental knowledge of the local fisherfolks especially on mangroves,” the university said.

“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,” it added.

The same training was earlier held for seven people’s organizations with a membership of 150 fisherfolk from the municipalities of Kinoguitan, Binuangan, Balingasag, Cagayan de Oro City, El Salvador and Alubijid.