R-XI celebrates Wet Lands Day

DAVAO CITY Jan. 29 (PIA)- The World Wet Lands Day will be celebrated by the different environmental agencies and offices in the region.

 The  Provincial Environment and Natural Resouces Office (PENRO), Community Environment and Natural Resources Office ) CENRO under the  Department of Environment and Natural Resources-XI along with the CENRO (City Environment and Natural Resources Office) of the five cities in the region had their separate activities to celebrate the World and National Wet Lands Day this coming February 2.

According to Marygelinne Arguillas, chief of the Protected Areas Management Biodiversity Conservation (PAMBC) of DENR -XI the local governments in the region are also commemorating the said event.

Among the events and activities spearheaded by the provincial government of Davao del Norte, Davao del sur, Davao Occidental, Davao Oriental and Compostela Valley include community clean-up and mangrove planting in the coastal areas. The theme of the celebration is “Wetlands for our Future- Sustainable Livelihood.”

Arguillas called on the public to protect the mangrove and trees planted in the coasts and river banks and to maintain the cleanliness of local wetlands.

The Philippines is a signatory to the Ramsar Convention in 1999. It is an intergovernmental treaty that provides the framework for national action and international cooperation for the conservation and sustainable use of wetland resources.

The convention was signed in Ramsar, Iran on February 2, 1971, the date where the World Wetlands Day is celebrated.

Wetlands are areas covered by salt, fresh or brackish water either in the edge of bodies of water or in low-lying flooded areas, they support a wide range of flora and fauna and are valued as a nursery for species of fishes and aquatic animals. (PIA/XI)