The Metro Pacific Investments Foundation (MPIF) and the Municipality of Cordova signed a memorandum of agreement on 29 November 2023 for the rehabilitation of Mangrove Propagation and Information Center(MPIC) and the relaunch of the Mangrove Eco-Guides Program.
Herbert Laboy, vice president and project manager of Cebu Cordova Link Expressway Corporation (CCLEC), said the two-story building, which is around 200 square meters, will have enhancements such as a tourism office and will have glass panels.
He said there will be small changes to the floor plan of the building and it will take around three to four months to complete it.
The MPIC, which first opened in January 2021, was damaged in December 2021 during Typhoon Odette.
MPIC is intended to serve as a center for the protection and propagation of mangrove trees in the coastal areas, including the rehabilitation of degraded mangroves in Cordova.
Cordova has an estimated 200 hectares of mangroves in the entire municipality.
MPIF has allocated P4.5 million for the rehabilitation of the center located in Barangay Day-as, while another P7 million has been allocated by the LGU for the construction of a boardwalk to allow tourists to view the nine-hectare mangroves in the area.
The Mangrove Eco-Guide Program has been relaunched with budget allocation for eco-guides at a P6,000 monthly allowance.
Cordova Mayor Cesar Suan told the media that the rehabilitation of the MPIC has long been requested.
He added that MPIC can be accessed by the public for free but the LGU will look into charging visitors for an environmental fee to maintain the area.
"This is really free for the public," the mayor said.
Vice Mayor Victor Tago explained the construction of the boardwalk will bring in local and foreign tourists.
"Once there are tourists, business will open up," Tago stressed.