The local government of Masantol is taking steps to protect its coastal villages.
Many of Masantol’s 26 barangays are situated along the Pampanga River, making them vulnerable to coastal flooding, high waves, and tsunamis, according to officials.
To address this issue, the Municipal Agriculture and Fishery Services Office (MAFSO) has launched the “2023 Fruit Bearing and Mangrove Tree Planting Project,” which aims to plant 1,000 seedlings of fruit-bearing trees and 1,500 mangrove propagules along the coastline of the Pampanga River, officials said.
The goal of the project is to reduce shoreline erosion and to provide protection for coastal communities against coastal flooding, high waves, and tsunamis, they added.
This project is an important step to ensure the protection of all Masantol families and to promote sustainability in the area, officials said.
This year-long project is a part of Masantol Mayor Jose Antonio Bustos’ advocacy to ensure the protection and well-being of all Masantol families and to promote a sustainable and resilient community, the officials added.