By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporter LAOAG CITY—Commissioned barangay ranger officers (BROs) have intensified the planting of mangrove propagules in Ilocos Norte covering at least nine coastal municipalities. Early this week, around 6,000 mangrove propagules were delivered at Barangays La Paz and Gabu in this city to rehabilitate and improve its existing mangrove plantations here. Hustler Garalde of the Environment and Natural Resources Office (ENRO) under the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte said hundreds of BROs are assigned in various mangrove plantations located within the 155-kilometer coastline of the province. Aside from guarding the forests, the BROs also help in improving the state of mangroves here which serves as a breeding ground of fish and natural barrier to protect coastal residents should there be a storm surge or strong tidal wave. In Ilocos Norte, at least 80 percent of its population depend on fishing as a major source of livelihood, 10 p
Online edition of The Ilocos Times, a community newspaper based in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte.