NOVELETA, CAVITE — The local government of Noveleta held a 3-day Arbor Day to plant mangrove seedlings in the Noveleta Swamp area in Barangay San Rafael IV on March 13, 14, and 15.
This was led by the Office of the Mayor and the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO) of Lea Olidan-Balen, together with Councilor Kate Bernal and Councilor Alvarez.
Students of the Asian Institute of Maritime Studies (AIMS), public schools in the town, and local government offices, in partnership with the BFP, PNP, and MCares by Mikaella, were able to plant more than 600 seedlings in the Mangrove Protected Area of the town on March 13, 14, and 15, 2025.
Noveleta, Cavite Mayor Dino Chua said: “If there are no mangroves in the rivers of Noveleta, the flood level will be higher and more damaging to the people and their properties; malaking tulong po ang mga ito.”
The Noveleta Mangrove Forest covers approximately 64.2 hectares of saline sediment swamp and mudflats. The mangroves’ roots retain sediments and prevent erosion, while the trunks and canopy reduce the force of oncoming waves, thus reducing flooding. In Noveleta, Cavite, common mangrove species planted include Rhizophora apiculata, Rhizophora mucronata, Avicennia marina, and Sonneratia alba.
