SMC adds mud crab in mangrove project

SAN MIGUEL CORP. (SMC) plans to grow around 100,000 mud crabs per month at its 10-hectare mangrove plantation site in Bulacan as part of the company’s efforts to protect the environment and create a new source of livelihood for the residents.

In a statement, SMC President and Chief Operating Officer Ramon S. Ang said the company’s mud crab growing project will be in the town of Hagonoy. The area is included in the priority locations of SMC’s mangrove planting program that deals with flooding issues.

“Along with our goal to help address flooding through the planting of mangroves in these priority areas identified by the Department of Environment of Natural Resources (DENR), we are seeding 100,000 mud crabs monthly at Hagonoy’s mangrove plantation area to help boost the country’s mud crab production,” Mr. Ang said.

SMC said mud crabs are a culinary delicacy both in local and international markets and can be a major source of work for local fishermen and fishpond owners.

Under the program, 190,000 mangroves will be planted in the coastal areas covering Bulacan and Central Luzon.

Being one of the lowest-lying areas in Bulacan, SMC said the project will directly benefit Hagonoy as it will help address floods during the rainy season, tidal floods, and water from the Pampanga basin.

Further, SMC said the mangrove-planting program is part of its flood mitigation plan ahead of the construction of Manila International Airport in October.

“These flood-mitigation measures are all integral to airport development. It’s very important to address these environmental concerns before investing over P700 billion for the airport,” Mr. Ang said.

The airport project will be capable of accommodating up to 100 million passengers and can generate jobs while boosting tourism and local businesses in the area. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave