World Wetlands Day in the Philippines
CENRO ALBUERA WETLAND DAY CELEBRATION
The Community Environment and Natural Resources Office, Albuera, (CENRO Albuera), within the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in the Philippines, celebrated the World Wetland Day last February 2, 2006 with the theme Wetland as a Tool in Poverty Alleviation.
The highlight of the celebration was the identification of wetland species which was conducted by CENRO Albuera personnel. The event provides a tool for species utilization, protection and rehabilitation for those endangered species found in our wetland ecosystem.
The initial area chosen for said activities were wetlands in Brgy. Balugo 1 & 2 and Brgy. Mahayag, Albuera, Leyte. Identification of flora and fauna species was conducted through preferential sampling. Species of fauna encountered and identified were shrimps, mud crabs, and clams while floral species encountered are Bakauan (Rhizophora epiculata), Pagatpat (Sonneratia alba), Goat foot vines (Ipomea pes-caprea). Piapi (Avicennia lanata ) and Nipa (Nypa frauticans).
Brgy. Balugo 1 & 2 is abundant of seashells like suso, clamps, and crabs (saka-saka) and other flora species associated to mangrove and seashore species. Hereunder is tabular enumeration of species encountered and identified:
| AREA | SPECIES IDENTIFIED | VEGETATION | OTHERS |
| Balugo I, Albuera, Leyte | Fragile Shrimp, Fishes, Mud Crab, Saka-saka, Suso, Bajojo | Bakawan, Pagatpat, Nipa | Plastic waste, empty cans, empty shell, fallen debris, waste water from backyard piggery |
| Balugo II, Albuera, Leyte | Saka-saka – more Mud crab | Nipa, Bakawan lalaki, Lapis-lapis, Pagatpat | Fallen debris, waste nipa strip, plastic waste |
| Brgy. Mahayag, Albuera, Leyte | Fresh water shrimps, fishes species etc. Young crab (Camwa) | Rocky with green algae | Agricultural debris |
--Reported by : Sgd. Forester MERLYN G. BARTE, Planning Officer and Sgd. Forester DIONISIO T. MAGBANUA, OIC, CENRO Officer
