By Cherrylyn M. Macairan

The CPU Department of Life Sciences and Department of Chemistry conduct a Mangrove Literacy and Waste Management Lecture for residents of Sitio Panoso-on, Brgy. Nabitasan, Leganes, Iloilo on December 3, 2025.

The Department of Life Sciences and the Department of Chemistry conducted a Mangrove Literacy and Waste Management Lecture for the residents of Sitio Panoso-on, Brgy. Nabitasan, Leganes, Iloilo on December 03, 2025.

The Department of Life Sciences, in partnership with the Department of Chemistry, spearheaded a Mangrove Literacy and Waste Management Lecture for the residents of Sitio Panoso-on, Brgy. Nabitasan, Leganes, Iloilo on December 3, 2025. The event formed part of the continuing community extension initiatives of the CPU–Center for Mangrove and Marine Biodiversity (CMMB), which seeks to promote environmental stewardship and sustainable coastal resource management among local communities.

The lecture highlighted the vital ecological functions of mangrove ecosystems, serving as natural barriers against storm surges, nurseries for marine life, and essential components of carbon sequestration. Facilitators from both departments discussed how the degradation of mangrove areas affect fisheries, biodiversity, and the long-term resilience of coastal barangays.

In addition, the session emphasized practical, science-based waste management practices that households can adopt to reduce pollution and prevent further damage to coastal habitats.

Residents participated actively in the discussions, while the organizers encouraged the community to take part in local restoration efforts and underscored the importance of collective action in protecting mangrove stands that support both ecological health and local livelihoods.

Through initiatives like this, the CPU–CMMB continues to strengthen its commitment to environmental literacy, empowering coastal communities with the knowledge and tools needed to safeguard natural resources for future generations.