San Isidro, Davao del Norte – June 11, 2025 — A green milestone was marked in Barangay San Isidro today as the San Isidro Creek Rehabilitation Project officially kicked off through a ceremonial mangrove planting, signaling a strong partnership between the local government and the private sector for environmental preservation.
Funded by a generous ₱4 million donation from St. Peter Caskets Manufacturing (Mindanao), Inc., the project falls under the St. Peter Green Program and aligns with the local government’s “Reyver Alive: Balik Sigla sa Ilog at Dagat (BSID)” initiative, spearheaded by Tagum City Mayor Rey T. Uy.
Held in Purok Cabadiangan, the launching ceremony saw the planting of 250 Rhizophora apiculata (commonly known as Bakauan lalaki) mangrove propagules. According to Emiliano Dakingking Jr., head of the City Agriculture Office’s ARMAD Division, this species was selected due to its high survival rate and its critical role in creating a healthy marine habitat.
The multi-million peso project covers the rehabilitation and reforestation of 57 hectares of mangrove area in San Isidro Creek. It also includes the establishment of a dedicated mangrove nursery to ensure the sustainability and expansion of the initiative.
Present during the ceremony were Mayor Rey T. Uy, St. Peter Caskets Manufacturing (Mindanao), Inc. Senior Vice President Jude Orlando I. Tiongco, St. Peter Life Plan Vice President for Central Mindanao Efren Cortez, City ENR Officer Engr. Vivian R. Bahalla, Barangay Captain Fildelfa Castillo, volunteers, local government employees, and members of the San Isidro community.
Mayor Uy expressed gratitude for the enduring partnership with St. Peter, emphasizing how community and corporate collaboration can lead to transformative environmental change. “Through initiatives like this, we are not only protecting our coastal ecosystems but also creating future opportunities for our communities,” he said.
The project highlights the growing importance of private-public partnerships in ecological restoration, especially in coastal areas threatened by climate change and unsustainable development. With continued collaboration, the San Isidro Creek Rehabilitation Project is expected to boost marine biodiversity, strengthen natural storm barriers, and contribute to the overall ecological health of the region.
A Greener Tomorrow Starts Today
The ceremonial planting may have only covered a few hundred propagules, but the project promises long-term impacts for both people and the planet. Thanks to the St. Peter Green Program’s commitment and the city government’s vision, San Isidro Creek is poised to become a model of how nature can be revived — with unity, resources, and the will to act.