Misamis University’s Commitment to Aquatic Ecosystem Conservation and Sustainable Resource Management

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Misamis University’s Commitment to Aquatic Eco ....

Misamis University Community Extension Program

Misamis University’s Commitment to Aquatic Ecosystem Conservation and Sustainable Resource Management

Misamis University (MU) demonstrates commitment to protecting and restoring oceans, coasts, rivers, and freshwater resources through education, research, community engagement, and multi-stakeholder collaboration. Across its academic, outreach, and scientific programs, the university advances evidence-based conservation initiatives that strengthen aquatic ecosystem health and resilience in Misamis Occidental and the larger Zamboanga Peninsula.

MU implements diverse activities that promote environmental awareness and collective action for coastal and freshwater protection. Long-running initiatives such as the Coastal Resource Regeneration and Alternative Livelihood (CoRRAL) Project, the Ecological Strengthening Through Environmental Rehabilitation and Orientation (ESTERO) Program, the DILG-funded Sustainable Land Management (SLM) Project in Baybay, Bonifacio, and the AusAID-funded Save Labo River Program (SLRP) provide environmental education sessions, mangrove planting, coastal clean-ups, watershed conservation activities, and community capacity-building. The university also develops and disseminates IEC materials, including flip tarps, environmental modules, and other awareness tools, to strengthen public understanding of freshwater and marine conservation issues.

Complementing these programs are pollution-reduction initiatives such as the turnover of a community composting facility under the SLM Project and the installation of trash traps along Carangan Creek under the ESTERO Program. These interventions reduce land-based waste that would otherwise flow into rivers and coastal areas, directly supporting the rehabilitation of affected waterways. MU has also institutionalized a university-wide policy prohibiting the selling, serving, or purchasing of endangered, threatened, or protected marine species in all campus food outlets, reinforcing its commitment to sustainable consumption and biodiversity protection.

The university actively contributes to international and national environmental engagements. It has initiated activities as part of the World Migratory Bird Day – supported by the East Asian–Australasian Flyway Partnership (EAAFP) – including lectures, IEC development and distribution, coastal clean-ups, and bird-watching activities that highlight the importance of wetland and coastal habitats. MU also mobilizes faculty, students, and partner communities during the International Coastal Clean-up (ICC) Day and marks World Water Day through large-scale tree-growing activities, including the planting of 500 Narra seedlings for watershed rehabilitation. In addition, the University celebrates the International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem and the Month of the Ocean by organizing mangrove planting and coastal clean-ups that restore vital coastal habitats and deepen community awareness of marine conservation.

Beyond coastal areas, MU continues to support freshwater ecosystem management through the Save Labo River Program. Originally funded by AusAID, this initiative focuses on restoring the Labo Watershed and has led to the establishment of a community-managed water system benefiting seven upland barangays. MU continues to assist the Linusas Laburak Cooperative (LILAC), which now oversees the operation and maintenance of this vital water system.

Strong partnerships further amplify MU’s conservation efforts. The University collaborates with LGUs, national government agencies, international partners, and local communities to rehabilitate degraded water bodies and restore coastal and freshwater ecosystems. Through the ESTERO Program with DENR and LGU Ozamiz, MU continues to help reduce pollution in urban waterways. The University’s partnership with AusAID under the Save Labo River Project has produced long-term benefits in watershed rehabilitation and community-based water management. MU also strengthens conservation knowledge through coastal biodiversity studies, including published works on mangrove species diversity and coastal environmental conditions along Panguil Bay, such as:

► Diversity of Mangrove Species Along Panguil Bay, Ozamiz City, Mindanao Island, Philippines (Villanueva et al., 2021); and

► Coastal Environment and Marine Resources Conditions in Ozamiz City, Philippines (Galindo et al., 2022).

MU conducted a Management Effectiveness Assessment (MEA) in the Baliangao Protected Landscape and Seascape (BPLS), facilitated the creation of the BPLS Protected Area Management Plan (PAMP) and BPLS Ecotourism Management Plan (EMP), and continues to conduct resource assessments covering water quality, mollusks, coral reefs, seagrasses, and mangrove habitats. These scientific activities provide LGUs and communities with reliable data to guide policy-making, conservation planning, and ecosystem restoration.

Further contributing to regional ecosystem governance, MU actively participates in the Iligan Bay Alliance in Misamis Occidental (IBAMO) and the Panguil Bay Development Council, and serves as Sub-Committee Chair for IEC of the BPLS Protected Area Management Board (PAMB). Through these roles, the University provides technical expertise, research support, and community-based insights essential for collaborative resource management.

MU’s science-driven approach is further enhanced through the DOST–PCAARRD-funded project on the Management Effectiveness and Impact of Locally Managed MPAs in the Zamboanga Peninsula. This initiative employs advanced technologies, including GIS mapping and the use of Coral Point Count with Excel Extension (CPCe) software for coral cover analysis, enabling more precise and standardized assessment of reef conditions. By generating accurate ecological data that inform planning, monitoring, and decision-making, CPCe strengthens the project’s capacity to evaluate ecological, economic, and social impacts of MPAs. The project provides capacity-building, policy recommendations, and technical tools that help coastal communities and marine industries minimize environmental damage and adopt sustainable practices.

Through integrated education, research, community outreach, and strong regional and national partnerships, Misamis University demonstrates a clear and measurable contribution to the conservation and sustainable management of aquatic ecosystems. Its wide-ranging initiatives reflect a comprehensive institutional commitment to safeguarding marine and freshwater resources, supporting local communities, and advancing both national and global environmental goals.