Happy World Seagrass Day!
Earlier, DENR PENRO Iloilo conducted series of activities in line with the World Seagrass Day 2024 at PENRO Iloilo Technical Services Division on March 1, 2024.
A short program commenced with a prayer led by DMO II Ma. Dolores O. Bautista.
During this undertaking, Chief, Technical Services Division Alma E. Ballego delivered an opening message, providing an overview of seagrass and its importance.
A lecture and Audio-Visual Presentation followed, presented by Coastal Extension Officer Io Francesca T. Benliro. The presentation highlighted the definition, species, and relevance of seagrasses in the marine ecosystem, as well as their role in climate change mitigation. The Fisheries Administrative Order No. 250, series of 2014, regarding seagrass beds and blue carbon was also discussed.
A Trivia game was conducted to assess the attendees’ understanding of the topic. Additionally, Grade 12 students from Jaro National High School shared their insights and learnings from the activity.
In addition, SVEMS Aimeline B. Gavilla gave the closing remarks and thanked everyone for their active participation.
Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials such as leaflets and booklets were distributed, covering topics such as the significance of seagrasses globally and the various species found in the Philippines.
Moreover, we also posted about the history and facts about world seagrass day and sea grass watch in the country and joined the seagrass identification activity in Sitio Lamintao, Brgy. Talisay, Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo on February 23, 2024, alongside CENRO Barotac Nuevo CDS personnel.
The theme for World Seagrass Day 2024 is “Conservation and Protection of Blue Carbon Ecosystems towards improved local economies.”
