Koronadal City, Philippines – In a landmark initiative that bridges education, environmental stewardship, and civic responsibility, a Memorandum of Agreement was signed on June 25, 2025, between the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Region 12 (DENR-12), Notre Dame of Marbel University-Peacebuilders Organization (NDMU-PBO), the Protected Area Management Office of the Sarangani Bay Protected Seascape (PAMO-SBPS), and the City Environment and Natural Resources Office of General Santos City (CENRO-Gensan) to establish, manage, and protect a coastal mangrove ecopark in Barangay Baluan, General Santos City.
The formal adoption of this coastal area, rich in mangrove forests, marks a collective commitment to protect and rehabilitate one of the region’s most critical yet threatened ecosystems. The initiative, led by the NDMU-PBO through the Adopt-a-Mangrove project, not only enhances community-based conservation efforts but also highlights the indispensable role of the academe in driving long-term environmental sustainability.
Mangroves: More Than Coastal Trees
Mangroves serve as nature’s buffer against storm surges and coastal erosion, while also acting as nurseries for marine life. They store large amounts of carbon and filter pollutants, directly supporting both climate resilience and local fisheries. However, these ecosystems face increasing pressure from urban expansion, pollution, and neglect.
This makes the Barangay Baluan mangrove forest—part of the wider Sarangani Bay Protected Seascape—a critical habitat in need of integrated, science-based management and grassroots action. Through this partnership, the ecopark will not only be rehabilitated but transformed into a living classroom for ecological awareness, biodiversity research, and community empowerment.
The Role of Academe in Environmental Protection
The inclusion of Notre Dame of Marbel University, through its Peacebuilders Organization, signifies a growing recognition of how academic institutions can be catalysts in environmental action. Far beyond the classroom, universities provide both technical expertise and youthful energy that can reinvigorate conservation programs.
NDMU-PBO’s commitment under the agreement includes active restoration, environmental education, and the mobilization of volunteers—particularly students and faculty members—to engage in regular mangrove planting and monitoring activities. Their involvement ensures that scientific knowledge, research, and policy advocacy work in synergy with on-the-ground actions.
“Environmental stewardship must begin with awareness, and awareness begins with education. When students participate directly in the conservation of ecosystems, they become agents of lasting change,” said a representative from NDMU-PBO during the signing ceremony.
Support from Multi-Sectoral Partners
The Protected Area Management Office of the Sarangani Bay Protected Seascape will provide vital technical guidance to ensure that rehabilitation efforts comply with national and local environmental standards. Their oversight will help maintain ecological balance and guide sustainable development within the ecopark.
The City Environment and Natural Resources Office of General Santos City, on the other hand, will provide logistical and institutional support, reinforcing the initiative’s place within broader climate resilience and urban development strategies.
A Model for Coastal Conservation
This partnership showcases a model that can be replicated across coastal communities in the Philippines. By aligning local government, national agencies, academia, and civil society toward a common environmental goal, initiatives like this amplify their collective impact.
More importantly, the Gensan Coastal Mangrove Ecopark initiative reflects a hopeful trend where education and ecological activism walk hand in hand. It is a reminder that protecting marine ecosystems like mangroves is not solely the job of environmentalists—it is a shared duty that thrives when powered by knowledge, commitment, and collaboration.
As climate change continues to reshape the Philippine coastline, these kinds of grassroots yet technically sound partnerships are crucial. With the academe as a leading force, the future of mangrove protection in the region looks not just greener, but brighter.