Climate Change Scuttles Mangrove Planting Activity

It was hot. It was raining hard. And it was supposed to be Christmastime!

This was the scenario on December 28, the scheduled mangrove planting activity of the OSCI awardees and friends.

The mangrove planting was OSCI's way of greening and cleaning Iloilo River. It was also a response to the wider environmental call of combating climate change. But that day was an example of climate change!

Many of these young environmentalists left their hometowns past 5:00 am to get to the Iloilo River planting site at exactly 7:00 am; only to arrive at SM City under heavy downpour. Some were already in Molo waiting hopelessly for the rains to subside.

Anyway, those who came were ushered to a hearty breakfast at Chowking in Molo; and an impromptu OSCI meeting which everyone enjoyed.@

Yes, mangrove planting activity pushes thru!

Above photo is the part of Iloilo river where OSCI will plant mangrove propagules. The area is upstream from Carpenter's bridge and is on the Mandurriao side of the river.

Activity: Mangrove Planting by the Outstanding Students Circle of Iloilo (OSCI) in coordination with the Iloilo City Agriculture Office

Date/Time: Friday, Dec 28, 2007 7:00am – 10:00am

Place: Iloilo River, near the Mandurriao approach of the Carpenter’s Bridge

How to get there: Those with cars: Take Diversion Rd or Benigno Aquino Hi-way. Turn to San Rafael (when coming from SM City, turn Right on reaching Juan’s Resto-Bar). Go straight to Mandurriao passing new site of Ateneo de Iloilo. Turn left upon reaching Mandurriao national road. The bridge in front of Saviour Hospital is Carpenter’s Bridge. There’s a wide open lot for parking at the upstream side of the Mandurriao approach. Those who will commute: Take the Mandurriao via Molo jeepney. From the City Proper, the jeep passes through Molo plaza towards Mandurriao. The bridge near Saviour Hospital is Carpenter’s Bridge. Get down at the Mandurriao side of the river. The site for planting is upstream of the bridge.

What to bring: Waiver and Release of a Student duly signed by the parents/guardians; Extra clothing, rubber gloves, wading boots if possible. (A bamboo raft will be supplied by the Iloilo City Agriculture Office. The river is muddy during low tide.)

Others: Snacks will be served. Certificate of attendance will be given. OSCI T-shirts will be available.

Contact Persons: Henry B. Caspe 09187973041; Dimpna Castigador 09194980077


(Above Left) Saviour Hospital with Carpenter's Bridge as seen from the Mandurriao side of Iloilo River. (Above Right) The bridge is flanked to the right by the old city slaughterhouse.

(Above Left) Upstream on the Molo side of the river, across from the site for planting, is Southville subdivision. (Above Right) The Mandurriao approach of the old Carpenter's Bridge. Behind the trees is Saviour Hospital.

(Above) The planting site starts from where the cameraman is standing to about 100 meters upstream, and about 10 meters at the widest from the existing mangrove trees. The portions are mudflats during low tide.

Modern Day Pieta

The above photo was taken in the 1970's by William Eugene Smith, one of the world's most accomplished photographers, in Minamata, Japan. It shows an outwardly healthy mother bathing her fetal-poisoned 16 year old daughter, Tomoko Uemura, physically crippled since birth, an effect of industrial mercury poisoning of Minamata Bay.

The mercury in the Bay was traced to the waste water dumped by Chisso Corporation, a company which produces plastics, drugs, and perfumes. After a few decades of Chisso's full operation, the people of Minamata, a fishing village, began to see the effects of the as yet unknown mercury pollution. Cats scavenging in the fishing docks began to have seizures, and would later drop dead. After some time, humans, too, had seizures. "Victims were diagnosed as having a degeneration of their nervous systems. Numbness occurred in their limbs and lips. Their speech became slurred, and their vision constricted. Some people had serious brain damage, while others lapsed into unconsciousness or suffered from involuntary movements."

What's the significance of this story and the accompanying picture to the residents of Iloilo City?

The local government of Iloilo City is planning to build a coal-fired power plant in the city. And coal-fired power plants emit pollutants which contain mercury! Yes, MERCURY as in MINAMATA BAY!

What can OSCI say?

A picture speaks louder than words.@