MANGROVE LOVING PENGUIN: Arbor Day (June 25) in Davila Mangrove Sanctuary

 

"Arbor" is a Latin word that literally means tree.

Arbor Day is a globally celebrated holiday dedicated to planting, managing and preserving trees. It originated in Nebraska, United States, in 1872 to combat deforestation and provide the barren plains of the 37th state of the USA with essential windbreaks and shade.  

The Arbor Day holiday has been adapted worldwide. While National Arbor Day in the US is late April, many countries around the globe celebrate it at different times of the year to ensure local weather conditions are optimal for tree survival.  In the Middle East, Jordan's Arbor Day is January 15. In the Far East, Arbor Day of China is March 12.  In Europe, Germany has its Arbor Day on April 25 while Barbados in the Caribean celebrates it on Sept 22.  

The Philippines celebrates Arbor Day annually on June 25.  This nationwide observance is mandated by Presidential Proclamation 643 (signed by Pres. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in 2004) and Republic Act No. 10176 (signed into law by Pres. Benigno Aquino III in 2012) which encourages citizens and local government units to participate in tree-planting and forest conservation activities.

First Balfour, like many companies in the Philippines,  participates in  Arbor Day activities annually. It first started with the Arbor Day in 2013 and since that year, many employees from the various projects and yards of  the company all over the country have volunteered to join yearly.  

This June 25, 2026, the Mangrove Loving Penguin (MLP)  joined employees of First Balfour  in a tree planting activity inside the Davila Mangrove Sanctuary located in the town of Pasuquin of the province of Ilocos Norte.   The Davila Mangrove Sanctuary spans approximately 200 hectares and is acknowledged as the largest mangrove area in Region 1.  

Given its construction maintenance operations in the towns of Burgos, Pasuquin and Bacarra plus the city of Laoag, the First Balfour project team selected the Davila Mangrove Sanctuary for its Arbor Day activity this 2026.  Last year (2025) and 2021, the project team conducted also mangrove planting in the same area.  The project team coordinated with the Provincial ENRO of Ilocos Norte who provided the mangrove seedlings to be planted.  Several barangay rangers were deployed also for the June 25 activity while First Balfour had 20 volunteers, including the project manager.

Located in Brgy Davila (Pasuquin), the  Davila Mangrove Sanctuary is north of the Nagabungan Pier. 

Coordinating with the Provincial ENRO was helpful as we made sure that we were planting the right mangrove species.  The  mangrove seedlings that were planted this June 25 are Bakawan Bato (Rhizophora stylosa).  According to the Barangay Rangers Team Lead, the Bakawan Bato is the dominant mangrove species in the area as it is well adapted to the sandy, coastal rubble, and exposed rocky intertidal shores that is found in the area of Sitio Nagabungan. 

Here are photos of the June 25, 2026 Arbor Day in Davila Mangrove Sanctuary:

The assembly area is beside the mangrove nursery of the Provincial ENRO.   

The nursery is full of mangrove seedlings, mostly Bakawan Bato. 

Project Pollution Control Officer Dexter making the introductions before the start of the mangrove planting. 

Project manager Jhem doing the welcome remarks.  She highlighted the collaboration among  the project team, the Provincial ENRO  and the barangay forest rangers.

            

Rows and rows of Bakawan Bato mangroves serve as backdrop for the mangrove planting activity. 

MLP planting his first Bakawan Bato in Davila Mangrove Sanctuary 

Jhem all smile with the mangrove planting activity. Note the shorter propagule of a Bakawan Bato compared to that of the more common Bakawan Babae (Rhizophora mucronata).   

The mangrove planting volunteers including a pair of engineering college scholars on OJT with the project.  

The leader of the Barangay Forest Rangers pointing out the mangroves planted by First Balfour volunteers a year ago.    

These are the mangroves planted in 2025 by the First Balfour volunteers. 

A year old, the Bakawan Bato mangroves are thriving in the sandy and rocky substrate of the Davila Mangrove Sanctuary

MLP among the Bakawan Bato mangroves planted in 2021 by First Balfour volunteers.  

The Baranay Forest Rangers happily receiving a Certificate of Appreciation from the First Balfour project team. 

Aside from the prevalent Bakawan Bato, MLP was able to observe a handful more mangrove species inside Davila Mangrove Sanctuary.  That is a good thing. 

Foremost among them is the highly sought after  Bantigi mangrove (Pemphis acidula). The Bantigi is highly prized by bonzai collectors for its naturally aged, weathered aesthetic, which mimics centuries old trees without requiring decades of manual shaping.  Due to rampant illegal uprooting in the wild, the Bantigi is classified as a threatened in the Philippines.  The collection, transport and selling of wild Bantigi is prohibited under Republic Act No. 9147 (Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act), punishable by heavy fines and imprisonment.  Sadly, despite the law and fines, the illegal Bantigi bonsai trade continues.  While there is an abundance of the Bantigi in Davila Mangrove Sanctuary, there are tell-tale signs that there is rampant uprooting going on. 

MLP checking on a Bantigi mangrove. It looks rugged and has that aged look even when it is still not mature.    

   

The Bantigi has small flowers with white petals. 

Tell tale signs that some of the Bantigi mangroves at Davila Mangrove Sanctuary are being harvested which is illegal.     

The  Bantigi mangrove is often found with the Saging Saging mangrove which is such  the case in Davila.  The Bantigi is the shorter mangrove on the left while the Saging Saging mangrove is taller one on the right.  

There is also the Saging Saging mangrove (Aegeciras floridum) in Davila Mangrove Sanctuary.  It got its local name because its bright, cylindical fruits curve upwards and resemble tiny bananas.  While its local name comes from the shape of its fruit, the scientific genus name Aegeciras translates to "goat's horn", referencing the similarly curved, horn-like shape of its seed pods.  The species name floridum comes from the Latin word "floridus" meaning "florid" or "bright".  Certainly, the Saging Saging mangroves in Davila have bright red, mature fruits.       

The Saging Saging mangrove is one beautiful small tree   

 

The fruits of the Saging Saging mangrove is slighty curved and bright red. 

The Davila Mangrove Sanctuary also has its share of the notorious Buta Buta mangrove (Excoecaria agallucha). It is notorious because its white sap is highly toxic and caustic.  Containing the chemical compound diterpenes, contact with bare skin causes severe blistering, and if it gets into the eyes, it can induce intense pain and temporary blindness.  Hence its local name of Buta Buta (Bisaya for blind).  Hence also the genus name of Excoecaria which originates from the Latin word excaeco meaning to blind.  Dangerous as it may sound, the sap of the Buta Buta mangrove is used to treat toothache and ulcers.  Another distinguishing feature of this mangrove are it leaves which are very similar to that of the Santol tree (Sandoricum koetjape) . Its foliage puts on a striking, fiery display of transitional colors.        

Like the Santol tree, the leaves of the Buta Buta mangrove have transitional colors.  Mature leaves have glossy intense green on top, pale green on the underside.  Aging leaves turn brillant shades of yellow and orange before shedding.    

Any broken part of the Buta Buta mangrove (twigs, leaves) exudes a highly toxic milky white latex. Touching it to your eyes can lead to temporary or permanent blindness.    

The MLP also witnessed a number of Bungalon mangroves (Avicennia marina) inside the Davila Mangrove Sanctuary. The Bungalon is one of the most widespread and ecologically important mangrove species in the Philippines.  It is a highly resilient pioneer species that thrives across a wide range of coastal substrates and salinity gradients.  The ecological uses of the Bungalon ranges from coastal protection to biodiversity hub to medicinal properties.   

This Bungalon mangrove in Davila Mangrove Sanctuary is one big specimen. Could be several decades old. Note the bark of the Bungalon which has a peeling texture and light coloration similar to that of the bark of a guava tree.    

Indeed the Davila Mangrove Sanctuary exhibits  good species diversity. Mangrove diversity indicates enhanced resilience, habitat complexity, carbon sequestration and climate adaptation. Such qualities inspire hope in us which bring us back to why we celebrate Arbor Day. 

To quote from the website of the Arbor Day Foundation :

"While most holidays celebrate something that has already happened and is worth remembering, Arbor Day represents a hope for the future.  The simple act of planting a tree represents a belief that the tree will grow to provide us with clean air and water, cooling shade,  habitat for wildlife, healthier communities, and endless natural beauty - all for a better tomorrow."   

Amen to Arbor Day!