Extension – IEG

Southern Luzon State University (SLSU) continues to embody its goal of leading initiatives for environmental protection and conservation. One such initiative is the Environmental Justice Sector Reform Project – Phase 3 (EJSRP 3), implemented through the Oscar F. Santos Institute of Environmental Governance (IEG) in partnership with Tanggol Kalikasan (TK) and funded by the United States Department of the Interior International Technical Assistance Program. The EJSRP 3 Project Implementation: Area Specific Action Plan EJSRP 3 aims to enhance biodiversity conservation actions and ensure the protection of remaining wildlife habitats by raising awareness and strengthening the capacities and technical skills of local government officials. The project covers several coastal and island municipalities in Quezon Province along the Philippine Rise (Benham Rise), namely: Alabat, Burdeos, General Nakar, Infanta, Jomalig, Panukulan, Patnanungan, Perez, Polillo, Quezon, and Real. One key component of the project requires each municipality to develop and implement an Area Specific Action Plan (ASAP) tailored to its community’s environmental needs. These plans include capacity building for Bantay Dagat members on the enforcement of fisheries laws and legislation, as well as the establishment of aquasilviculture. ASAP Monitoring Following the completion of the municipalities’ ASAP implementation, SLSU IEG and TK conducted a series of monitoring activities to ensure the attainment of the project’s objectives and its sustainability. Likewise, staff of Office and Extension Services joined the monitoring team to conduct a needs assessment survey and interview aimed to identify emerging issues and priority concerns, which determined the capacity-building requirements and recommended appropriate interventions that may develop into extension concepts and projects. The monitoring team conducted its first monitoring activity for the municipalities of Real and General Nakar, Quezon. In Real, the team met with Municipal Agriculture Officer (MAO) Filomena R. Azogue and Ms. Jamaica J. Hapa, a staff member of the Municipal Agriculture Office (MAgO). The discussion revealed that the five Bantay Dagat members who underwent training have not yet been formally deputized due to incomplete requirements under the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) standards. The municipality also expressed the need for additional capacity-building activities focused on Coastal Resource Management Planning. Meanwhile, in General Nakar, the team met with MAO John Leo O. Tena. Similar concerns were raised regarding the nine trained Bantay Dagat members who remain without formal deputization. The municipality further requested additional training on Coastal Resource Management Planning and Hito (catfish) farming as an alternative livelihood opportunity for other Bantay Dagat members and volunteers. On April 27, 2026, the monitoring team visited the Municipality of Patnanungan and met with Municipal Mayor Claire Larita-Natividad, MAO Eugene Luces, and Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Officer (MENRO) Dennis Aguilar. During the meeting, it was reported that the eleven Bantay Dagat members have already been deputized. The municipality also requested additional training focused on coral management to strengthen marine conservation efforts. The following day, the team proceeded to the Municipality of Jomalig. Local officials shared that four Bantay Dagat members have been deputized. The municipality likewise expressed interest in additional training programs focused on mangrove development to support their ecotourism initiatives. A Continuing Commitment These monitoring activities reflect SLSU’s strong commitment, together with partner institutions and local government units, to enhancing coastal resource protection, strengthening environmental law enforcement, and promoting sustainable, community-based livelihood opportunities for coastal communities.Article by: RABarrientos, ARObmerga Photos by: SAFLaguador

Noong ika-5 hanggang ika-7 ng Agosto, isinagawa ang pagsasanay sa fishery law enforcement para sa ikalawang grupo ng mga miyembro ng Bantay Dagat mula sa mga bayan ng Alabat, General Nakar, Perez, at Real, Quezon. Ginanap ang aktibidad sa National Brackishwater Training Center (NBTC) sa Pagbilao, Quezon, na naglalayong palakasin ang kaalaman ng mga kalahok sa tamang pagpapatupad ng mga batas pangkaragatan. Ang gawaing ito ay parte ng proyektong Environmental Justice Sector Reform Project – Phase 3 sa tulong na pinansyal mula sa U.S. Department of Interior – International Technical Assistance Program. Pinangunahan ng mga ekspertong abogado mula sa Tanggol Kalikasan na sina Atty. Rolando R. Recto at Atty. Psyche P. Tolentino ang pagsasanay. Sa unang araw, tinalakay ni Atty. Tolentino ang tungkol sa estado at kalagayan ng kapaligiran, partikular sa pagpapatupad ng batas pangkaragatan pati ang Fisheries Code of the Philippines o Republic Act (R.A.) 10654. Samantala, ipinaliwanag naman ni Atty. Recto ang mga probisyon ng Chainsaw Act, Wildlife Act, at NIPAS Act. Pati na rin ang tamang proseso ng Arrest, Search, Seizure and Detention. Sa ikalawang araw, nagbigay si Atty. Recto ng mga gabay sa wastong pagsasampa ng mga kasong administratibo at kriminal. Pagkatapos, tinalakay ni Atty. Tolentino ang mga uri ng ebidensyang maaaring ihain sa hukuman at ang tamang pagsulat ng affidavit. Previous Next Bilang panghuling sesyon, ipinakilala ni G. Leandro S. Menguito, isang espesyalista sa pagsasanay ng Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Region IV-A, ang proseso ng pagtatalaga ng mga bantay-dagat. Nagkaroon din ng workshop kung saan gumawa ang mga kalahok ng affidavit at role-playing batay sa mga senaryong may kinalaman sa ilegal na gawain sa kanilang mga municipal waters. Sa huling araw, ipinakita ng bawat grupo ang kanilang ginawang affidavit at isinagawa ang role-playing, sa pangunguna ni Gng. Zenaida P. Bernal, batikang miyembro ng Tanggol Kalikasan, batay sa itinakdang senaryo. “The Bantay Dagat are not just law enforcers; you are unsung heroes who help preserve the lifeblood of our communities [Ang Bantay Dagat ay hindi lamang tagapagpatupad ng batas; kayo ay mga bayaning hindi kilala ngunit tumutulong sa pagpreserba ng buhay at kabuhayan ng ating komunidad],” ang pahayag ni Dr. Frederick T. Villa, Pangulo ng SLSU, sa kanyang mensahe na inihatid ni Dr. Felino J. Gutierrez, Jr., na nagpapakita ng dedikasyon at suporta ng universidad sa mga gawaing pangangalaga sa kalikasan. Ang pagsasanay ay naging matagumpay sa pagpapalawak ng kaalaman at kakayahan ng mga Bantay Dagat sa pagsugpo ng mga ilegal na gawaing pangisdaan. Previous Next Larawan, panulat ni: JDMerjudio

Ang Institute of Environmental Governance (IEG) Center ng Southern Luzon State University (SLSU), kasama ang Tanggol Kalikasan, Inc. (TK), ay nagsagawa ng mga pagbisita sa mga bayan ng Real, Infanta, at General Nakar sa Quezon upang makipag-ugnayan sa mga bagong halal na lokal na opisyal. Ang delegasyon ng SLSU, na binubuo ni IEG Coordinator Bb. Arceli R. Obmerga, at mga kawani mula sa Office of Extension Services (OES) na sina Bb. Renelyn A. Barrientos at Bb. Sheer Angela F. Laguador, kasama si Bb. Arcelina O. Molen ng TK, ay nakipagpulong sa alkalde ng Real, Hon. Julie Ann O. Macasaet, alkalde ng General Nakar, Hon. Alfredo Pujera, at sa Municipal Agriculturist ng Infanta na si G. Carmelo S. Francia.  Sa mga pagpupulong, ipinagbigay batid ng grupo ang nalalapit na Fishery Law Enforcement Training para sa mga kawani ng Bantay Dagat sa Real at General Nakar, na gaganapin mula Agosto 5–7 sa National Brackishwater Training Center sa Pagbilao, Quezon. Ang pagsasanay, na pinondohan ng U.S. Department of the Interior’s International Technical Assistance Program, ay naglalayong paghusayin ang kakayahan ng mga kalahok sa tamang dokumentasyon, pamamaraan ng pagsampa ng kaso, at epektibong pamamaraan ng pagpatrolya, upang palakasin ang pagpapatupad ng batas pangkaragatan.   Bukod dito, tinalakay din ng grupo ang plano para sa isang aquasilviculture training program sa Infanta kasama si G. Francia, na nagbibigay-diin sa sustainable aquaculture practices upang suportahan ang lokal na pangingisda at mga pagsisikap sa pagpapanumbalik ng mga bakawan.  Ang mga inisyatibong ito ay nagpapakita ng pangako ng unibersidad sa pagpapalakas ng mga lokal na pamahalaan sa environmental governance at resource management.  Photos: ARObmerga Article and Layout: JDMerjudio

The partnership between Southern Luzon State University (SLSU) through the Institute of Environmental Governance (IEG) Center and Tanggol Kalikasan, Inc. has successfully strengthened marine protection efforts in Quezon Province through a three-day Fishery Law Enforcement Training for Bantay Dagat from the municipalities of Burdeos, Jomalig, Panukulan, Patnanungan, and Polillo. The training was held from June 23 to 25 at the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) National Brackishwater Training Center in Pagbilao, Quezon. This training is part of the ongoing “Environmental Justice Sector Reform Project – Phase 3 (EJSRP 3) funded by the United State Department of the Interior International Technical Assistance Program, which aims to address the training needs of the local government units (LGUs) related to environment protection, planning, and conservation. During the opening ceremony, Dr. Felino J. Gutierrez, Jr., Director of the Office of Extension Services, expressed his expectation for the training saying, “Inaasahan natin sa pagtatapos ng pagsasanay, makakatanggap kayo ng isang matatag na pang unawa at kumpiyansa na nagpatupad ng batas para sa kaligtasan at kaunlaran ng sektor ng pangingisda.” This was followed by a message of support from Mr. Romel B. Calzado, Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Officer of Polillo, Quezon, saying, “Sana po sa pamamagitan ng programang ito ang magkaroon ng matibay na pagtutulungan at partnership ang mga LGUs sa SLSU, Tanggol Kalikasan, at BFAR.” Previous Next The three-day training featured experts on fishery law enforcement from TK and BFAR. Mr. Glenn M. Forbes, J.D., President of TK, provided an in-depth discussion on the state and the environment, which focuses on the power of LGUs and national government agencies’ authority to enforce fishery laws. He also outlined the fishery code of the Philippines as well as the wildlife code. Meanwhile, Atty. Psyche P. Tolentino, a lawyer from TK, covered topics on the basic handling of evidence and the procedures of filing criminal and administrative cases. Mr. Leandro S. Menguito, Training Specialist I of BFAR Region IV-A, introduced BFAR’s guidelines in the conduct of training for deputy fish wardens, enlightening the participants on the guidelines on how to be a deputized fish warden by the department. Beyond lectures, participants engaged in case studies and practical workshops, including drafting affidavits and case documents. Divided by municipality, they analyzed scenarios such as illegal fishing, dynamite fishing, and cyanide fishing, preparing sample legal documents to reinforce learning. The participants relate their previous experiences to drafting their sample cases. During the closing program, Mr. Rolando A. Borja, Bantay Dagat from Burdeos, shared his insights and key takeaways, giving importance to his overall learning, “Ito po ay aming palalawigin pa, pagsisikapan lalo’t higit isasabuhay ang aming natutunan.” “Tayo pong lahat ay nandidito para pangalagaan ang ating kalikasan”, Dr. Gutierrez, delivered in his closing remarks. This initiative reaffirms the dedication of SLSU and TK to empower local enforcers to safeguard Quezon’s marine resources. Previous Next Photos, Article, Layout: JDMerjudio

The Institute of Environmental Governance (IEG) Center of Southern Luzon State University (SLSU) and Tanggol Kalikasan, Inc. (TK) recently visited the municipalities of Quezon, Alabat, and Perez in Quezon Province for an initial meeting to kick off the implementation of their Area-Specific Action Plan (ASAP) under the Environmental Justice Sector Reform Project Phase 3 (EJSRP 3) on March 13–14. The team led by Dr. Felino J. Gutierrez, Jr., IEG Management Committee Member, Ms. Arceli R. Obmerga, IEG Coordinator, and Ms. Doris Amandy, TK representative, was warmly welcomed by local officials, including Hon. Mayor Charizze Escalona of Perez, Quezon, Hon. Mayor Juan F. Escolano of Quezon, Quezon, and Mr. Gerald Franklin R. Belazon, OIC MAO of Alabat, Quezon. Each municipality’s ASAP focuses on promoting environmental justice and strengthening the protection of its marine resources. In particular, the municipalities of Perez and Alabat focus on Fishery Law Enforcement Training for their Bantay Dagat. Meanwhile, Quezon, Quezon plans to improve its solid waste management and potential Aquasilviculture Projects for its Bantay Dagat. Previous Next Article & Layout: JDMerjudio