By Sheena G. Sevillon
PROYEKTO SALOM-LP Stewardship and Literacy on Marine Life Preservation outreach program held last May 3, 2024.
On May 3, 2024, the Third Year Social Work Students of Central Philippine University, together with Prof. Sarex Dalida Dipol, Jr., Acting Director of Community Engagement and Service Learning Center (CESLC-CPU), Dr. Regina E. Samillano, Science Education Coordinator of the College of Education, and Dr. Lenny Rose P. Mucho, conducted an outreach activity in Sitio Nalo-uyan in Brgy. Sapao, Dumangas, Iloilo.
The activity aimed to give people an informative discussion that tackles the importance of healthy marine life and environment to the health and livelihood of residents of Sitio Nalu-oyan Brgy. Sapao, Dumangas, Iloilo. Through the initiative, we aimed to contribute to the cultivation of resilient rural coastal communities, fostering cooperation among residents in their shared commitment to conserving and enhancing the well-being of the community at large.
PROYEKTO SALOM-LP: Stewardship and Literacy on Marine Life Preservation is an outreach program that brings awareness to the sustainability of coastal environments and marine ecosystems. There is an emphasis on the preservation and sustainable use of oceans, seas, and their resources, as mentioned in the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations (SDG No. 14: Life Below Water), which focuses on protection by eliminating pollution and overfishing and immediately starts responsible management and protection of all marine life.
The program focused on the input discussions that empower and bring awareness to local fishermen in the sustainability of a healthy environment, protection of all marine resources, and maintaining the livelihood of locals without compromising the “dunang manggad” for the future generation, headed by Novy Joy T. Geñalope and Sheena G. Sevillon, together with Alyza G. Lapides, Princess C. Bismar, Kassandra E. Basan, Divine Irish S. Forro, Glyzamae A. Peñafiel, Jessica Zahir P. Braga, Noelle Y. Villaflor, and Gerald Kim C. Bacolna as members who facilitated the activity. Additionally, the emphasis is on preserving natural resources, enhancing quality of life, and upholding cleanliness in this coastal community.
The activity became successful with the cooperation of the barangay officials headed by the Brgy. Captain Francisco P. Sumalde Jr., Kagawad Anita Donesa, Kagawad Ralf Jonn Dela Cruz, and Erven Bisana, the Head of Nalu-oyan Community Association. On behalf of the barangay, Hon. Sumalde, the barangay captain, welcomed the Centralians with 51 fisherfolk who actively participated in the activity.
The outreach was done by providing the fishermen with foodpacks and DIY garbage nets that will be used by the locals of the community. The overarching goal is to cultivate a culture of sustainable living, ensuring continual development and growth within the rural-coastal community.