GUIMARAS—Eight years have passed since the M/T Solar 1 sank off the coast of Guimaras and Negros Islands causing, what is considered, the worst oil spill in the country. The oil tanker, carrying more than 2 million liters of bunker fuel, sank during a violent storm in August 2006, and adversely affected marine sanctuaries and mangrove reserves in three out of five municipalities in the island of Guimaras. The area was once a rich fishing ground. Since then, the local government has stepped up efforts to conserve and protect the marine environment. Environment advocate Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) was among the private institutions that immediately responded to the call for assistance in the long-term rehabilitation of the area, particularly in sustaining the mangrove plantation of the Taklong Island National Marine Reserve in barangays La Paz and San Roque in Nueva Valencia. Smart joins hands with community stakeholders in sustaining the mangrove plan...