Best environmental practices made CTU Daanbanatayan this year’s most sustainable and eco-friendly tertiary school in the region.
Regional Director William P. Cuñado expressed felicitations to the university president on July 12, citing an even greater chance of landing the top spot at the national level.
Campus Director Levy Lepon told UPO of the institution’s empowerment gained from the enormous task of implementing mangrove rehabilitation meters away from the institution.
Climate change adaptation is also central to the program which is hoped to cultivate the sanctuary of about 20 hectares.
With a portion of 9 hectares for CTU to bring about sustainability with mangrove species, Extension Director Nicolas Anituga could not be happier with the responsibility that makes him a catalyst for change after the destructive Typhoon Yolanda in 2013.
Now the mangroves are growing and the atmosphere has just cleared for people to really join the cause. Students on their part have been taught the value of nurturing a number of these in rural coastal communities.
Prof. Anituga showed UPO ‘tungog’ (ceriops tagal), ‘bakhaw’ (rhizophora stylosa), ‘miapi’ (avicennia marina) and some 100 species more grown in the area.
Daanbantayan campus not only limits the students to mangrove rehabilitation but also exposes them to a number of greening initiatives and other practices such as electricity and water conservation.
The recognition of the campus’ campaign to balance the ecosystem marks the government’s profound understanding of survival that is to be initiated by the people themselves.
Heading to the nationals now, the Environment Management Bureau (EMB) is asking for more proofs of these best practices upheld by CTU Daanbantayan.
Environmental policies and programs are set to have carved up a name for the university among SUCs. It has acknowledged the role of students, faculty and staff to respond to concerns amidst technological advancements and the inevitable forces of nature. UPO