2nd Stop: Mangrove Garden in Bantayan, Cebu

It's my first time to see a mangrove sanctuary.

Mangrove forests are the breeding and nursery grounds for a number of marine organisms. It also protects the shorelines from flooding.

In the Philippines, mangrove woods are being used as firewood or charcoal - well, in exchange for a very small amount of money. It does great damage than good. I'm very happy to know that in Bantayan, they preserve it.

This is definitely a good example of Eco-tourism. Mangrove planting has a lot of benefits not just for the environmental protection but to the economy as well. THINK GREEN! :)

How to get to Omagieca Mangrove Garden - By motorcycle, look for the signage and ask the locals. The locals are extremely helpful and very kind.

If you can't drive - there are tricycles or locally known as "Trisikad" in the main streets which you can hire for a day.

The roads going to the mangroves are mostly rough. But the views along the way are amazing!

FACT

I talked to some of the locals who maintain the sanctuary. They're very kind, accomodating, always smiling. They asked how Manila looks like right now.