CENTRAL PHILIPPINE UNIVERSITY

Autonomous Status granted by CHED – Sept. 16, 2024 – Sept. 15, 2027
ISO 9001:2015 Cert No.: CIP/5365/18/06/1061 – July 12, 2022 – July 8, 2025

CPU-CAS Faculty and PGENRO visit area for center for Mangrove and Marine Biodiversity Conservation

by | Jun 20, 2025 | Centralian Link

By Prof. Sarex Dalida Dipol, Jr.


Selected CPU-CAS faculty, in collaboration with the Provincial Government Environment and Natural Resources Office (PGENRO) – Iloilo, conducted an ocular visit to the mangrove area in Barangay Dangula-an, Anilao, Iloilo.

Last June 16, 2025, selected faculty members from CPU-CAS departments of Life Sciences, Chemistry, Social Work, Languages, Mass Communication, and Humanities, joined by personnel from the Provincial Government Environment and Natural Resources Office (PGENRO) Iloilo, conducted ocular visits to areas of Leganes, Anilao, and Ajuy to establish the Center for Mangrove and Marine Biodiversity Conservation.

Selected officials and fisherfolks of the barangays also joined the team to discuss the challenges faced by the mangrove sites, their boundaries, and the developmental plans, which the University looks forward to being a part of, specifically in the developments of environmental rehabilitation, biodiversity conservation, and nutrition and food security of the areas.

The team who determined the potential of the areas in environmental conservation and community development are:

  • Dr. Nicolas G. Guanzon, Jr., Phycologist an algae expert;
  • Dr. Laureen M. Manalo for fisheries;
  • Dr. Regina E. Samillano, Biologist in Environmental and Science Education;
  • Prof. Cherrylyn M. Macairan, Environmental Science Expert and Chairman of the Life Sciences department;
  • Dr. Mizpah C. Villalobos, Biochemist and Chairman of the Department of Chemistry;
  • Prof. Kerwin G. Luntao, DLMCH faculty and CPU-CAS Outreach Coordinator; and
  • Prof. Sarex Dalida Dipol, Jr., the CPU Community Engagement and Service-Learning Center Director.

The chosen areas for establishing the Center for Mangrove and Marine Biodiversity of the University are in Sitio Panuso-on, Nabitasan in Leganes, Brgy. Dangula-an in Anilao, and Brgy. Culasi in Ajuy.

The University will use these mangrove areas for instruction, research, and extension. The Community Engagement and Service-Learning Center will soon announce when these mangrove areas are ready for university adoption.