Weaving Stories of SEA and SURVIVAL. CTU–AC CoEd Leads EcoSEA Stewardship Training in Barangay Tulic
Argao, Cebu — April 30, 2026
In a coastal community where the rhythm of the tides shapes daily life, a meaningful convergence of environmental stewardship, cultural heritage, and community empowerment unfolded as Cebu Technological University (CTU) – Argao Campus conducted the HABIG-EcoSEA Stewardship Training: Mangroves, Coastal Ecosystem, and Community Partnership Building at the Barangay Tulic Covered Court.
The activity gathered fisherfolk leaders, barangay officials, educators, and community stakeholders in a shared learning space designed to strengthen awareness, deepen partnerships, and inspire collective action toward sustainable coastal development.
Strengthening Coastal Stewardship Through Community Engagement
The training featured an in-depth session on mangrove ecosystems and coastal conservation facilitated by environmental expert Dr. Edgardo P. Lillo, who emphasized the ecological and protective value of mangroves in mitigating climate risks and sustaining marine biodiversity.
Complementing this scientific perspective, leaders from KAMATU (Kapunungan sa mga Mananagat sa Tulic) shared lived experiences and grassroots practices, reinforcing the principle that communities serve as co-educators and active stewards of the environment.
The activity culminated in a community reflection and action planning session, where participants collaboratively identified strategies for local environmental stewardship, signaling a shift from awareness to concrete, community-driven action.
Formalizing Partnerships: HABIG-EcoSEA Enters Year 2
A major highlight of the event was the forging of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the continued implementation of the HABIG-EcoSEA Project, now on its second year, between:·
- Cebu Technological University (CTU)·
- Barangay Tulic Council·
- KAMATU (Kapunungan sa mga Mananagat sa Tulic)·
- DepEd Tulic Elementary School
This strengthened partnership reinforces a shared commitment to advancing environmental stewardship education, coastal conservation efforts, and community-based sustainability initiatives.
As HABIG-EcoSEA moves into its second year, the project continues to position the community not merely as beneficiaries but as active partners and co-creators of knowledge, fostering long-term engagement and ownership of environmental programs.
HISTORYA Project: Celebrating Five Years of Stories, Culture, and Resilience
Alongside this milestone, another significant partnership was formalized through the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement for the 5th year implementation of the HISTORYA Project with Tulic Elementary School.
HISTORYA is a literature-based extension initiative that transforms local narratives into culturally grounded storybooks for young learners. Central to this project are the stories of Hinablon sa Cebu, particularly the lived experiences of local weavers—many of whom are wives of fisherfolk.
As climate change continues to affect fishing livelihoods, these women have turned to handloom weaving as a sustainable and resilient source of income. Through HISTORYA, their stories are brought into the classroom, fostering literacy, cultural appreciation, environmental awareness, and social consciousness among Key Stage 2 learners.
This integration of environment, livelihood, and storytelling reflects a powerful narrative:from the sea, to the loom, to the storybook—communities transform challenges into lessons of resilience and hope.
Advancing Education for Sustainable Development (ESD)
The EcoSEA Stewardship Training underscores CTU’s commitment to Education for Sustainable Development (ESD)by integrating instruction, research, and extension in addressing real-world community needs.
Through HABIG-EcoSEA and HISTORYA, CTU continues to:
- Promote environmental literacy and stewardship· Elevate community knowledge and indigenous practices·
- Empower stakeholders as partners in sustainable development
The Habig-EcoSEA and HISTORYA team would like to see this collaboration with Barangay Tulic, KAMATU, and Tulic Elementary School as a model of community-embedded, participatory approach to sustainability education.
Sustaining the Momentum for Coastal Communities
As the training concluded, participants expressed renewed commitment to environmental protection and community collaboration. The initiative marks not an endpoint, but a continuing journey toward resilient, informed, and empowered coastal communities.
CTU reaffirms its vision of building communities where: education sustains the environment, and the environment sustains life. (LMSCamello)
