𝐉𝐇𝐂𝐒𝐂 𝐂𝐄𝐒𝐎 𝐒𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐬 𝐌𝐎𝐀 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐒𝐊 𝐏𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝟐 𝐨𝐟 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐡𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭, 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐁𝐋𝐆𝐔’𝐬 𝐑𝐨𝐥𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭

The Community Extension Service Office (CESO) of J.H. Cerilles State College, headed by Dr. Joel M. Sabellano, Jr., Extension Director, officially signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Sangguniang Kabataan of Barangay Pantad for the second year of the Mangrove Growing and Rehabilitation Extension Project. The activity, which also featured a seminar on the Role of Barangay Local Government Unit (BLGU) in Coastal Management, was held on October 18, 2025, at the Audio-Visual Room, Engineering Building, JHCSC Main Campus.

The partnership was made possible through the efforts of Project Leader and BSES and MSERM Chairperson, Dr. Rosanilio Yagos, with the support of Dr. Jerry B. Superales, Vice President for Research, Extension, and Resource Generation, and JHCSC President, Dr. Edgardo H. Rosales. Representing the Sangguniang Kabataan of Pantad was SK Chairman Christian Paul B. Vailoces, who formally inked the agreement with the institution. The collaboration signifies the continued commitment of JHCSC and the local government to protect and rehabilitate the province’s coastal ecosystems.

In attendance were faculty members of the Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science (BSES) program, members of the Women Environmental Defenders Association (WEDA), and barangay officials from Pantad and Rebokon, Dumalinao, Zamboanga del Sur. The event served as both a formal agreement signing and a venue for learning and discussion on coastal management practices at the barangay level.

The seminar featured keynote speaker Mr. Muspek Musa, who discussed the vital role of mangroves in maintaining coastal stability and protecting marine biodiversity. An open forum followed, allowing participants to raise issues and share best practices related to coastal protection and community engagement.

This initiative builds on the success of last year’s activity, where 3,500 mangrove propagules were planted at the Mangrove Sanctuary and Nursery in Barangay Pantad on September 14, 2024. The project, which involved BSES and BS Forestry students, SGS-MSERM students, residents of Pantad, WEDA members, and barangay councils, continues to strengthen the shared goal of environmental sustainability and coastal resilience through community-based participation and education.