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The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) CALABARZON through the Conservation and Development Division together with the DENR-Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) of Cavite commenced with the assessment of the mangrove area in Brgy. San Rafael IV, Noveleta, Cavite on October 12, 2020. 

The said activity is part of the partnership project between the DENR Calabarzon, Forest Foundation Philippines, and Zoological Society of London regarding the establishment of the said area as a science-based mangrove conservation and management site.

DENR Calabarzon Conservation and Development Division Chief, Ramil J. Gutierrez said “(the) mangrove assessment in Noveleta, Cavite has the objective of determining its biodiversity components within its ecosystem in order to facilitate the science based approach in management protection and conservation of said area. This will be participated in by different stakeholders vis- a- vis POs, NGOs, NGAs/OGAs, academe, private sector etc. Subject mangrove ecosystem can be devoted for rehabilitation, research and even for eco-tourism agenda to benefit the present and future generations.”

The project site will cover the 30-hectare mangrove forest in the municipality plus approximately 649.6-hectare adjoining area for future rehabilitation and management. 

The assessment aims to identify areas of conservation and management including areas of expansion, evaluate the established nursery site and species diversity, and determine possible threats to mangroves and site-potential livelihood for the community.

The regional department will adopt the methods set under the Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB) Technical Bulletin No. 2019-04 in the conduct of the assessment. The fieldwork activities are expected to be completed in 13 days.

Covering more than 80 hectares of saline swamp and mudflats, the mangrove forest of Noveleta, Cavite is home to various coastal flora and fauna.  Per records of the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office and the Municipal Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council, there are 18 types of mangrove species identified in the area such as Miyapi or Api-api (Avicennia alba), Kulasi (Lumnitzera racemosa), Bakawang Lalaki (Rhizophora apiculata), Bakawang Babae (Rhizophora mucronata), Bakawang Bato (Rhizophora stylosa), Banalo (Thespesia populnea), Dampol (Glochidion littorale), Batikabra (Ipomoea pescaprae), Talisay (Terminalia catappa), Aroma (Acacia farnesiana), Pagatpat (Sonneratia alba), Tangal (Ceriops tagal), Buta-buta (Excoecaria agallocha), Ipil-ipil (Instia bijuga), Nipa (Nypa fruticans), Palaypay (Acrostichum aureum), Lagiwliw (Acanthus ilicifolius), and Maragomon (Brownlowia tersa).

Migratory birds such as Black-winged stilt (Himantopus himantopus), Little egret (Egretta garzetta), Black-naped tern (Sterna sumatrana), Moorhen (Rallidae sp.), Grey heron (Ardea cinerea), Great egret (Ardea alba), Black-crowned Night Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax), Philippine Duck (Anas luzonica), Greenshank (Tringa nebularia), and Lesser sand plover (Charadrius mongolus) were sighted in Brgy. San Rafael IV, Noveleta, Cavite, per 2016 report of the DENR-PENRO Cavite.###