Misamis University receives recognition from DENR - R10
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) R10 hosted the Stakeholders Appreciation and Recognition (STAR) Awards last July 2, 2024, at the DENR Compound, Puntod, Cagayan de Oro City. As one of the highlights of DENR’s 137th Founding Anniversary and Philippine Environment Month, the event sought to recognize various organizations and local government units that took part in DENR’s mission to protect the environment. Misamis University was awarded a Plaque of Appreciation for active partnership in the celebration of environmental events and other activities. Ms. Goldah Grace D. Sultan, Community Extension Facilitator, represented the school.
Over the years, Misamis University advocates its mission, vision, and values in responding to the community's needs, conducting research and extension activities, forging partnerships, and showing responsibility and excellence through various projects that promote and protect the environment.
To recall, here are some of the notable environmental projects of Misamis University.
- Save Labo River Program (SLRP)
- Coastal Resources Regeneration and Alternative Livelihood (CORRAL)
- Ecological Strengthening Through Environmental Rehabilitation and Orientation (ESTERO)
- Ozamiz City Integrated Solid Waste Management Project (OCISWMP)
- Mt. Malindang Range Natural Park Website Development and Hosting
- Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte Watershed Natural Resources Appraisal
- Mt. Malindang Biodiversity Protection through Capability Building
- Biodiversity Assessment and Monitoring System (BAMS) 1& 2
- Forest Land Use Plan (FLUP) Technical Assistance,
- Ozamiz City Coastal Resource Assessment (OCCRA)
- Cave Management Plan Technical Assistance (Bungi Cave, Bacolod & Mighty Cave, Iligan City)
- National Greening Program (NGP) Third-Party Assessment
- BPLS and MMRNP Management Effectiveness Assessment (MEA)
The university, as an academe, collaborates with DENR to facilitate environmental projects for Mt. Malindang Range Natural Park (MMRNP), an ASEAN Heritage Park and a major watershed for Misamis Occidental, Zamboanga del Norte, and Zamboanga del Sur. Misamis University is an active member of the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) for MMRNP, Bagumbang Malaubang Mangrove Samp Forest Reserve (MBMFR), and Baliangao Protected Landscape and Seascape (BPLS).
Recently, some of the implemented research and extension projects are “Valuation of Forest Ecosystem Services (VFES) of Mt. Malindang Range Natural Park, Philippines” and “Research-Based Capability Building on Science Communication for an Ecologically Adaptive Tourism Management Contingent on Mt. Malindang Range Natural Park, Misamis Occidental”, both funded by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).
The VFES project aims to estimate the economic value of MMRNP in support of developing and financing mechanisms for sustainable management. A major target is establishing sustainable water payment ecosystem services based on the Willingness to Pay (WTP) of Households in the province of Misamis Occidental. Based on the results, the mean WTP amounts to Php 34.51 with an annual estimated generated amount of Php 20, 025, 204.84. Another result was that MMRNP has an annual estimated value of 42 million for selected bioresources. The project team is also engaged in drafting a policy brief, crafting a storybook for Grades 4 to 6, designing and producing MMRNP posters, and writing research articles for publication.
The second project funded by DOST-PCIEERD was aimed to integrate science communication and citizen science in tourism management through research-based capacity building towards a sustainable and responsible, ecologically-oriented form of tourism contingent on MMRNP. The project included capacity building on science communication, citizen science, and tourism marketing which was attended by participants from Misamis Occidental, Zamboanga del Norte, and Zamboanga del Sur. There were 39 tourism owners, managers, staff, and representatives; 10 tourism officers; 13 MENRO staff and representatives; 2 Environment Committee Chairs; and 1 Executive Secretary to the Mayor. Surprisingly, it was during the last day of this training that the tourism operators from the three provinces around MMRNP federated themselves and committed to contributing to the conservation of MMRNP, led by the elected president Atty. Orlando Salatandre of Villa Pablea Mountain Resort, Tolon, Rizal, Zamboanga del Norte.
These projects are funded and supported by the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Aquatic Agriculture and Natural Resource Research and Development (DOST- PCAARRD), DOST Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Protected Area Management Board (PAMB), and National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP).
Misamis University is grateful for the opportunity to become stewards of God’s creation. This is made possible with the support of Dr. Karen Belina F. De Leon and the initiative of the late President Dr. Nestor M. Feliciano who paved the way for the establishment of the school’s extension department, Misamis University Community Extension Program (MUCEP), which aims to provide societal, economic, and environmental projects for the challenged communities.