The University Community Extension Services Office (UCESO) spearheaded an activity entitled, “Mangrove Planting and Rehabilitation in collaboration with CHEDRO VI and Ms. Samantha A. Tico and Family” on July 29, 2024, at GSU Multi-Crop Pond, Cabano, San Lorenzo, Guimaras.

The College of Agricultural Sciences (CAgS) was also involved in this activity because the multi-crop pond falls under their supervision. Dr. Rhea Joy D. Flora, Dean of the CAgS, stated in her message that she is grateful to Ms. Tico for initiating this activity because it will promote among the youth to conserve the environment and provides an excellent opportunity for the institution to collaborate with Ms. Tico in the future.

This activity was also supported by the barangay officials of Cabano, San Lorenzo, Guimaras, Cabano Barangay Irrigators Development Association and Corporated (CBIDAC) officials, some 4-H Club – Baterna Chapter members, and the Tico Family. Dr. Margie Y. De La Cruz, Director of the UCESO, was also present during the event, as were some other Guimaras State University officials and staff. Dr. De La Cruz stated in her message that she is pleased and delighted to have this kind of activity.

Ms. Maria Samantha A. Tico, on the other side, stated in her message that this effort strengthens Guimaras Island’s shoreline by planting more mangroves and gathering more advocates, both from the Philippines and from abroad. She also intends to seek out more people to assist in this endeavor, to strengthen the coastline through global connections, and to gather support and funds from the online community.

Ms. Tico is the niece of Dr. Raul Alvarez, Jr., the Regional Director of the Commission on Higher Education Regional Office VI (CHEDRO VI). She is from Houston, Texas, and is a senior high school student.

Meanwhile, Dr. Lilian Diana B. Parreño, the University President, delivered her statement. She emphasized that the mangrove tree planting effort is the most effective barrier to sea waves entering the multi-crop pond.

Following that, Instr. Gerald Sheo Thon D. Gamo, Manager of the GSU Multi-Crop Pond, delivered a brief symposium on mangroves. During his discussion, he explained that a mangrove tree has a unique characteristic that allows it to survive in the sea water. It is also a protector of our coastal ecosystem, and it is vulnerable to destruction as a result of human activity. According to Instr. Gamo, the Philippines is habitat to more than 40 of the world’s 76 mangrove species.

The three most dominant mangrove species in the Philippines are “bakhaw”, “bungalon”, and “pagatpat”. He also emphasized the importance of planting mangroves in appropriate places, as they cannot be planted on the permanently submerged areas of the shoreline. During his speech, he stated that “we must rehabilitate, reinstate, and protect the mangrove forest”. He then talked about the properties and benefits of mangroves. Before ending his speech, he acknowledged Ms. Tico’s initiative. He also appreciated the fact that she realized at an early age that she needed to share this activity with the community because most younger generations are now well-versed in online gaming, whereas she is well-versed in environmental protection.

The mangrove tree planting activity began following the brief symposium, and a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between Guimaras State University and Ms. Maria Samantha A. Tico.