Siembra Mangle: 3,850 Roots for a Greener Generation

Zamboanga City, August 30, 2025 — In a unified and purposeful effort to protect and rehabilitate the environment, the "Great West Unite for Good" alliance — composed of the Rotary Club of Zamboanga City West (RCZCW), Rotary Anns of Zamboanga City West, Rotaract Club of Zamboanga City West, Rotaract Club of Southern City Colleges, Interact Club of Zamboanga City West, Zamboanga City Police Office, 2nd Mobile Force Company "Seaborne", and the Barangay Tanods of Barangay Talabaan — successfully conducted a mangrove tree planting activity dubbed “Siembra Mangle” in Barangay Talabaan, Zamboanga City.

The activity began at 6:00 AM with a solemn opening prayer, setting a meaningful tone for the day. This was followed by Welcome Remarks from the RCZCW President, who emphasized the importance of environmental stewardship and the strong collaborative spirit among the participating organizations.

A short technical briefing was conducted by a representative from the Office of the City Environment and Natural Resources (OCENR), who explained the crucial ecological role of mangroves in coastal protection, biodiversity conservation, and climate change mitigation. Participants also received hands-on guidance on how to properly plant mangrove propagules to ensure a high survival rate.

With shared enthusiasm and a deep sense of purpose, volunteers from the different groups took to the muddy coastline of Talabaan — and through their collective effort, a remarkable 3,850 mangrove propagules were successfully planted. This not only contributed to the restoration of the local mangrove ecosystem but also helped raise environmental awareness among youth and community members.

The “Siembra Mangle” initiative is a flagship activity under the Great West Unite for Good movement, reflecting a powerful message: that genuine change is possible when civic organizations, young leaders, and law enforcement unite for a shared cause. As the mangrove seedlings took root in the coastal soil, they symbolized more than environmental restoration — they embodied the renewed sense of commitment, cooperation, and service that defines this movement.

This initiative is expected to be the first of many under the "Great West Unite for Good" banner, paving the way for more impactful, inclusive, and sustainable community projects in the months to come — all rooted in the Rotary spirit of "Service Above Self."