By Prof. Sarex Dalida Dipol, Jr.

Rev. Dr. Ernest Howard B. Dagohoy, University President, and Gov. Arthur “Toto” Rivera Defensor Jr., Governor of Iloilo Province, signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the establishment of the Center for Mangroves and Marine Biodiversity Conservation.

On September 15, 2025, the Iloilo Provincial Government – Environment and Natural Resources Office orchestrated the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing ceremony with two prominent higher education institutions, such as Central Philippine University and West Visayas State University about the establishments of various environmental protection and conservation initiatives.

In this event, the Community Engagement and Service-Learning Center and the College of Arts and Sciences, specifically the Department of Life Sciences will establish the CPU Center for Mangroves and Marine Biodiversity Conservation. This conservation sites will be used by various colleges, departments and units of the University for mangroves and marine biodiversity activities related to research, development, extension, and instruction.

This new partnership is also anchored to the strategy of the Office of the Vice President for Research, Development, and Extension on building more partnerships under the Cultivating Alliances and Nurturing Opportunities for Purposeful Yields (CANOPY) Initiative. Like a canopy, this initiative relates to CPU’s pledge to nurture collaborative, sustainable, and inclusive partnerships with communities and other sectors being served.

For this engagement, the adopted mangrove sites of the University given by the provincial government are Sitio Panuso-on, Brgy. Nabitasan, Leganes, Brgy. Dangula-an, Anilao, and Brgy. Culasi in Ajuy. For coordination, scheduling and advice on the use of mangrove sites, the faculty and students may reach out to the director of Community Engagement and Service-Learning Center or Prof. Cherrylyn M. Macairan, officer in charge and Chairman of Department of Life Sciences.