Roots of Hope: CTU -Argao CoEd’s EduKalikupan and EcoSEA EcoWarriors Lead Mangrove Planting for Climate Action.
College of Education (CoEd) of Cebu Technological University–Argao Campus, through its environmental arms EduKalikupan and the EcoSEA EcoWarriors, gathered with community partners for a mangrove planting activity that brought together education, advocacy, and a shared vision for climate resilience.
At the break of dawn along the quiet coastline of Barangay Tulic, Argao, the tide carried more than the familiar rhythm of the sea—it carried a renewed sense of hope. The initiative, held in collaboration with the Tulic Barangay Council and KAMATU (Kapunungan sa mga Mananagat sa Tulic), was more than an environmental event—it was a story of how communities and future educators can stand together to protect coastal life and revive ecosystems threatened by the changing climate.
A Shoreline Transformed Into a Classroom
For the CoEd faculty, pre-service teachers, barangay leaders, and fisherfolk who lined the shore, the muddy terrain became an open-air classroom. As they planted rows of young mangrove propagules, participants learned firsthand how each seedling contributes to a larger narrative—one where coastal communities find protection in the embrace of thriving mangrove forests.
“This is not just planting; this is teaching, this is caring, this is securing the future,” shared one EcoWarrior volunteer, emphasizing CoEd’s philosophy that environmental stewardship must begin with educators who embody the lessons they teach.
EduKalikupan’s direction is clear: what happens in the community must echo in the classroom. Planting mangroves is not simply an activity—it is a translation of values, lessons, and lived experiences that future teachers will bring to their pupils.
Community at the Heart of Climate Action
Barangay Tulic’s coastline has long been a source of livelihood for its fisherfolk, and its people understand the irreplaceable role of mangroves. These natural barriers safeguard homes from storm surges, serve as nurseries for marine life, and reduce the impacts of coastal erosion.
KAMATU officers and members stood shoulder-to-shoulder with CTU volunteers, guiding them on how to properly plant and nurture the young mangrove species native to their shores. Their presence was a reminder that environmental restoration is most powerful when rooted in the wisdom and participation of local communities.
Barangay officials expressed gratitude for CTU’s continued involvement, noting that partnerships like these strengthen Tulic’s ability to adapt to a changing climate.
A Commitment That Grows With Every Seedling
With each planted propagule, participants symbolically reaffirmed CoEd’s long-term commitment: to help rebuild and expand mangrove forests in Tulic and other coastal barangays. This commitment extends beyond one-day events- it includes follow-through activities, monitoring visits, and the integration of environmental values into the lessons taught in elementary and high school classrooms.
The The EcoSEA Community Extension initiative, now in its expanded implementation, reinforces the belief that sustainable education is twofold:
- Actively participating in community-based climate actions, and
- Teaching these same environmental values to children, who will inherit the coastlines, forests, and ecosystems of tomorrow.
From the Coast to the Classroom: A Legacy in the Making
The mangrove planting in Tulic was more than a community event—it was a weaving of stories, people, and aspirations. As students and teachers walked back from the shore, their hands still marked with soil, they carried with them a renewed purpose.
These young educators are not only learning how to teach; they are learning how to lead, protect, and shape a future where environmental stewardship becomes second nature.
Through EduKalikupan and the community extension project dubbed as EcoSEA, the EcoWarriors and CTU CoEd continues to affirm its role as a champion of Education for Sustainable Development, proving that true climate action blossoms when education and community action walk hand in hand.
CTU CoEd’s message is simple but profound: “Plant today. Protect tomorrow. Teach forever.” (LMSCamello) | icpao