Central Philippine University

by Prof. Sarex Dalida Dipol, Jr.


Students and Faculty members of the Department of Life Sciences went into a fruit-growing activity.

The Department of Life Sciences of Central Philippine University organized a fruit-tree growing activity in Sitio Inadlayan, Brgy. Macatol, Pototan, Iloilo on September 24, 2022 (Saturday). The outreach activity is based on Republic Act 10176, Section 8 that declares, “All able-bodied citizens of the Philippines, who are at least twelve (12) years of age, shall be required to plant one (1) tree every year”. Furthermore, this outreach activity is anchored on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations such as Zero Hunger, Sustainable Cities and Communities, Climate Action, Life on Land and Partners for the Goals.

The fruit-bearing tree growing activity was intended to ensure the nutrition and food security of the locale. Moreover, the area is experiencing flooding, siltation and erosion which reduce the production of the farmers. Additionally, various man-made practices such as kaingin system, conversion of land for commercial purposes and agriculture are threats to the biodiversity of the area. Soursop, santol, bignay, jackfruit are some of the seedlings planted in the area donated by the Department of Agriculture (DA)-Region 6.

The participants of the outreach activity were faculty members of Department of Life Sciences and fourth-year Bachelor of Science in Biology students, CPU Biological Society and College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) Provincial Council of the University, other civic, government and environmental organizations such as Junior Chamber International (JCI) Iloilo, Department of Agriculture (DA)-Region 6 and Wildlife Protection and Conservation Society (WPCS). Central Philippine University, Department of Life Sciences is committed to address various environmental issues faced by the province of Iloilo and the region such as food security, environmental rehabilitation and biodiversity conservation.

The faculty members and BS Biology students learned vermicomposting, mushroom culture, and proper tree planting procedure among others from Engr. Herminigildo D. Alipat.