Iloilo Police Lead Mangrove Planting and Coastal Clean-Up Drive
In a significant environmental initiative, the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) orchestrated a mangrove tree planting and coastal clean-up drive in Barangay Hinactacan, La Paz District, Iloilo City, on February 17, 2026. This activity, conducted at 6 a.m., was part of the Philippine National Police’s "Makakalikasan" advocacy, highlighting the police force's expanded role beyond traditional law enforcement duties.
Leadership and Participation
Police Colonel Wilbert Parilla, the officer-in-charge of ICPO, led the event, underscoring the importance of environmental stewardship. He was joined by key police officials, including Police Lieutenant Colonel Kitt Flora, chief of the City Administrative and Resource Management Unit; Police Major Shella Mae Sangrines, public information officer of ICPO; and Police Lieutenant Jeserie Estaya, assistant chief of the same unit. The initiative also saw the participation of Barangay Hinactacan Captain Danny Villanueva and Bela Roga, a representative from the Iloilo City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO).
Before the planting commenced, Roga provided a comprehensive briefing on proper mangrove planting techniques to ensure the seedlings' survival and sustainable growth. She emphasized the critical ecological functions of mangroves, such as mitigating climate change, reducing storm surge impacts, and preventing coastal erosion in vulnerable communities.
Community Collaboration
The event fostered strong community collaboration, with participants including police officers, barangay officials, local residents, Police Non-Commissioned Officers, criminology interns, and officers from various Iloilo City Police Stations. Together, they planted mangrove seedlings along the coastal area and collected waste materials during the clean-up drive, demonstrating a unified effort to protect natural resources.
As part of the program, Parilla presented Certificates of Appreciation to Villanueva and Roga, recognizing their invaluable support and active participation in the environmental effort. This gesture highlighted the importance of partnerships in achieving environmental goals.
Broader Environmental Initiatives
This activity is integrated into the ICPO Public Information Office's "Project Tatap: Tulong, Aksyon At Pagkakaisa Para sa Kalikasan," led by Sangrines. The program aims to promote environmental awareness and strengthen collaboration between the police and the community in safeguarding natural resources. ICPO leadership noted that this initiative aligns with the Philippine National Police’s ongoing campaign to incorporate environmental protection into community engagement programs while maintaining their core mandate to serve and protect.
In his remarks, Parilla articulated the police force's dual role: "As members of the PNP, we are not only protectors of the people but also protectors of our environment. Let us work together. May the disasters that have caused loss of lives and damage to property serve as lessons for us to act responsibly. Behind every success, we must never forget to give back to Mother Earth and show how much we care."
Commitment to Sustainability
The event concluded with police officials reaffirming their commitment to safeguarding both the environment and the communities of Iloilo City through sustained partnerships with local government offices and barangays. This initiative reflects a proactive approach to addressing environmental challenges and fostering resilience in coastal areas, setting a precedent for future community-driven conservation efforts.
