The College of Arts and Sciences Extension Team marked significant milestones this month for its ongoing “Bakawan Para sa Kinabukasan: Mangrovetum Establishment, Capacity Building, and Development of IEC Materials in Sanipaan Marine Reserve, Bgy. Tambo, Babak, IGaCoS” Project last March 14, 2022, as they presented the project details to the Sanipaan Management Committee. The project presentation was personally attended by Sanipaan Management Committee Head Barangay Tambo Captain Johnel Montes. The project Extension Team, led by its Program Leader, Dr. Majella G. Bautista of the Natural Sciences Department, had already established relations with the community by conducting active consultation and presenting the project to the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) OIC Atty. Nimrod Ogatis, Senior Environment Officer Arnel Acedillo, as well as tourism and fisheries officials, last March 8, 2022, which was met with positive reception from the community.

Members of the project Extension Team who were present during the presentations include Program Leader Dr. Majella G. Bautista, CAS Dean Dr. Ana P. Ocenar, CAS Extension Head Marilou P. Suazo, CAS Research Head Ms. Judee N. Nogodula, along with Project Leaders Dr. Marnie Grace I. Sonico, Activity Leaders Ms. John Paulette M. Viernes, Mr. Roel F. Ceballos, Mr. Khmer Griffin S. Alonzo, Mr. Yves Paul M. Montero, Mr. Daryl M. Salas and activity member Ms. Diodeth O. Apas.

These milestones will pave the way towards implementing this comprehensive, multi-faceted project that will benefit the Sanipaan Marine Reserve, featuring the establishment of a mangrove nursery, capacity building on the establishment of mangrove nursery, entrepreneurship, sustainable development, and translation of species to common English names. The project will then move towards biodiversity inventory and development of Information Education and Communication (IEC) materials of marine species in the local dialect and English language.