June 5

June 5 is symbolic to the sense of environmental protection and conservation because it is being celebrated as "World Environmental Day."

THE BIRD POPULATION OF HINACTACAN

There are at least two dozen species of birds found to be inhabiting the Hinactacan Mangrove Area:

1. Tulabong (Cattle Egret)
2. Dugwak (Purple Heron)
3. Salaksakan/ Takray/ Kiwkiw (Kingfisher)
4. Pato Ilahas/ Pato dela Mar (Wild Duck)
5. Malabun-ak (Tiger Heron)
6. Kuro (Gallinule)
7. Dapay (Hawk)
8. Agila (Eagle)
9. Tikwi (Kite)
10. Tiwil/ Tughok (Spine)
11. Bukaw/ Murogmon (Owl)
12. Tulamis (Sunbird)
13. Tigdanao/ Tikling (Rail)
14. Banatad/9 Tukmo/ Punay (Wild Pigeon)
15. Pitlago (Flycather)
16. Tulamis
17. Kurokokok
18. Timbabaras
19. Maya Balay
20. Galansiyang

SOME MANGROVE LINGO

Mangrove - Any of the genus “Rhizophoracea” of low tropical shore trees that send down roots which ultimately causes the tree to spread. Are always found growing between the high- and low- tide marks.

Marine Zone - grows in the intertidal zone, exposed by the tides.

Viviparous - starts growing while still attached to the parent tree.

Adaptation - shallow horizontal roots send up breathing roots above the mud to obtain oxygen.

As salinity increases coastward in the tidal & subtidal areas. There is a gradual transition to virtually pure dense swamps of mangroves.

Saline - consisting of, resembling, or containing salt; salty

“The mangrove tree is the creator of land”

Anchors on muddy shores or coral reefs, where it collects debris and sediments where vegetation can settle and grow.

Thrives best in blackish water of creeks, marshes, lagoons.

Seedlings drift at sea for months before taking roots and form new land.

Brgy. Hinactacan, Lapaz, Iloilo City, Philippines is located 10°43'57.16°N and 122°35'26.94°E with an elevation of 1 meter above sea level. The prospective marine and bird sanctuary is located 10°44'01.63°N and 122°35'50.89°E with an elevation of 2 meters above sea level.

The Hinactacan Project

"Hinactacan" is a Hiligaynon word meaning a place where fishes abound like fallen leaves. It is the name given to a tiny barangay (smallest political unit) in the District of Lapaz, Iloilo City, Philippines. Brgy. Hinactacan has a population of 922 people. Most of the menfolk are fishermen and the place is accesible by tricycle or small private vehicles.It is situated along the estuary of the Jaro River, facing Guimaras Strait. Its shoreline is shared by Brgy. Ingore, Lapaz, Iloilo City to its right, where a diesel powerplant is located, and Brgy. Bitoon, Jaro, Iloilo City on its left, where a newly finished floodway project is expected to empty the flood waters coming from the Tigum and Aganan Rivers come rainy season. Due to power shortage a new coal-fired powerplant is nearing completion at Brgy. Ingore beside the diesel powerplant. Adjacent to the community is a mangrove area where at least 12 endemic and migratory birds abound. It is also a known breeding place of countless marine life. While the environmentalists focus their concern on the effects of the coal-fired powerplant on our environment nobody seems to notice the effects of the tremendous siltation that the floodway will bring in the near future. This the reason behind the Hinactacan Project being spearheaded by the Sidlangan-Sublak Civic-Cultural Organization of Central Philippine University, Jaro, Iloilo City.