Romeo Subaldo, ABS-CBN News
Posted at Feb 10 2017 03:22 PM

Sixty-nine couples who are set to tie the knot on Valentine's Day planted mangroves on Friday at Barangay Tuburan in EB Magalona, Negros Occidental.

This is one of the requirements of the local government before the mass wedding on February 14.

Couples plant mangrove trees as required by the local government in EB Magalona, Negros Occidental prior to a mass wedding on February 14. Check out EB Mag 16th Mass Wedding Ceremony Photo Gallery

According to Mayor Marvin Malacon, he wanted to have a town ordinance requiring couples who plan to be part of the mass wedding to participate in mangrove planting.

"We are currently experiencing climate change and we want them to be part of our solution to battle climate change," Malacon said.

This is the first time that they require couples to participate in mangrove planting, but Malacon said he wants this to continue.

Long-time partners Arnel Remias and Rose Marie Presquito were one of the 69 couples who participated in the mangrove planting.

They admitted it was hard walking through the muddy shore but they were glad to have done something for nature before they finally got married.

"Para man na gyapon sa puturo namon kag sa mga kabataan namon," Remias said.

(We and our children will benefit from this in the future.)
Most of the residents in EB Magalona rely on fishing as their livelihood so the local government is protective of its coastal area.

Malacon said Valentine's Day is not only limited to couples celebrating their love for each other, but for nature, too.