PENRO Aklan promotes mangrove care through storytelling

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In observance of the International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem on July 25, 2025, the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) of Aklan held a Dalaw Turo activity at New Buswang Elementary School in New Buswang, Kalibo, Aklan.

The event engaged 120 Grade 5 and Grade 6 learners through a storytelling session by the book’s author, Maria Solita Zaldivar Guzman, of Arryn’s Pagatpat Tree.

The book focuses on the pagatpat tree, a mangrove species that provides four key ecosystem services.

Provisioning services include essential resources such as food and water.

Regulating services encompass wastewater treatment, pollution control, climate regulation, flood regulation, natural hazard regulation, and water purification.

Supporting services cover soil formation, nutrient cycling, and habitat provision.

Cultural services refer to nonmaterial benefits people derive from ecosystems, such as recreation, tourism, and spiritual enrichment.

Guzman, who also serves as the volunteerism focal person for the local government unit of Kalibo, promotes literacy, advocacy, and environmental stewardship.

Arryn’s Pagatpat Tree aims to reach more children and families, planting seeds of kindness, growth, service, and the desire to let their light shine.

The event was lively and interactive, featuring a question-and-answer session during the storytelling and a game in which students identified parts of a pagatpat tree.

“Influencing young minds using storytelling is one of the effective ways to encourage them to take part in the conservation and appreciation of the environment,” said DENR VI Regional Executive Director Raul L. Lorilla.

“Let them expand their imagination on how to improve environmental conservation, and assist them in making it possible and attainable,” he added. (DENR-6)