Southern Leyte State University (SLSU) – Bontoc Campus has partnered with the Department of Science and Technology-Provincial Science and Technology Office (DOST-PSTO), Southern Leyte to launch an innovative project aimed at boosting sustainable aquaculture and providing new livelihood opportunities for local fishing communities.

The initiative, titled “Enhancing Community-Based Sea Cucumber Ranching for Sustainable Development,” was officially formalized on January 14, 2025, during the SPEED SL: 2025 PSTO Southern Leyte Stakeholders Forum at Coastal Gatherings, Brgy. Isagani, Maasin City, Southern Leyte.

The partnership was represented by SLSU-Bontoc Campus Director Gladys L. Pascual and key officials from DOST. This collaborative effort seeks to explore sea cucumber ranching as a sustainable and profitable fishing activity, ensuring both marine conservation and economic resilience for local fisherfolk.

The project is part of SPEED SL, which stands for STI (Science, Technology, and Innovation) Programs to Enhance Economic Development of Southern Leyte. This program takes a comprehensive approach to development, focusing on industry advancement, disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM), economic growth, sociopolitical stability, and human resource development (HRD).

Campus Director Gladys L. Pascual said, “Sea cucumber fetch high market value due to its combined pharmaceutical, cosmeceutical and nutraceutical benefits. Its unregulated extraction may result in depletion of wild stock, hence the materialization of this project is anticipated to contribute towards replenishment of natural population”.

During the event, Mr. Ramil Uy, Provincial S&T Director of PSTO Southern Leyte, officially turned over the seed grant to help fund the project’s implementation. The ceremony was also attended by Dr. John Glenn D. Ocaña, Regional Director of DOST-8, Vice Governor Hon. Rosa Emilia “Milai” Gaviola Mercado, SLSU Vice President for Research, Innovation, and Extension Services (RIES) Francis Ann Sy, and Maasin City Councilor Mikhael Leonardo “Mikee” Mercado.

This initiative marks a significant milestone in advancing sustainable fisheries, demonstrating the power of scientific research, government support, and community collaboration in driving economic growth and environmental stewardship.

This initiative aligns with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly: SDG 14 Life Below Water, SDG 17 Partnerships for the Goals; and SDG 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth.

Southern Leyte State University – Bontoc Campus, in partnership with the Greenpeace Philippines Local Group, organized a series of seminars on January 11-12 and January 18-19, 2025, in Padre Burgos, Southern Leyte. The event, themed "Empowering Coastal Stewards for a Resilient Future," aimed to enhance community involvement in marine conservation efforts, particularly in protecting and restoring coastal ecosystems.

Representing SLSU-Bontoc, Associate Professor I Jimmy Salamida shared his expertise on Mangrove Restoration Techniques and Nursery Set-up, as well as Coastal Stewardship: Conservation and Protection. His sessions emphasized the crucial role of mangroves in mitigating coastal erosion, supporting biodiversity, and enhancing climate resilience.

Providing hands-on guidance during the field activities, Resident Divemaster Ryan Tomol offered technical assistance to participants, particularly in underwater and coastal assessment techniques. His involvement ensured that attendees not only gained theoretical knowledge but also practical experience in marine conservation efforts.

The seminar brought together fisherfolk and community members, empowering them with the knowledge, skills, and tools needed to sustainably manage and restore their vital mangrove ecosystems, ensuring long-term environmental and economic benefits for their communities.

“This initiative will serve as foundation for the establishment of a Mangrove Conservation Center and Nursery Project in the area,” Salamida stated. “This long-term endeavor aims to preserve biodiversity, rehabilitate degraded mangrove forests, and enhance climate resilience in the Southern Leyte province.”

With a strong emphasis on education, hands-on training, and local participation, the event reinforced the significance of collective action in protecting the region’s vital coastal ecosystems, paving the way for a more sustainable and resilient future.

This initiative aligns with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly: SDG 13: Climate Action, SDG 14: Life Below Water; SDG 15: Life on Land, SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals and SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.

Southern Leyte State University – Bontoc Campus has been awarded a ₱1 million grant for its project, “Improvement of Earthen Ponds and Support to Operation for SLSU Bontoc Campus Tilapia Grow-out and Recreational Fishing Project.”

The grant was officially handed over on January 14, 2025, at the Department of Agriculture (DA) Regional Office 8 in Tacloban City. Representing the campus, Ms. Basilides Geraldo, the campus cashier, received the cheque from the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division of DA-RFO8, which facilitated the funding under the Young Farmers Challenge Program.

This initiative aims to rehabilitate three 2,000sqm. grow-out ponds, which are expected to yield 957 kilograms of marketable tilapia (250-300 grams each). Additionally, the project seeks to restore and operate the recreational fishing villa, which will serve as a demonstration farm for community-based learning and support curricular programs in agriculture and fisheries.

The implementation of this project is expected to bring significant benefits to SLSU Bontoc Campus and the broader community. It will serve as an income-generating initiative to boost campus revenue while providing support to beneficiaries of the Department of Agriculture's Young Farmers Challenge (DA-YFC).

Campus Director Gladys L. Pascual emphasized the importance of this project, noting that SLSU Bontoc Campus, as a growing campus in the SLSU system, faces financial challenges and hence, the received financial assistance from the government is anticipated to deliver several benefits.

“To continue delivering quality services to our clientele, it is necessary to strengthen our income-generating projects (IGPs) to support campus operations. Through this project, we can also collaborate with other public and private organizations to enhance community resilience by implementing various extension programs, projects, and activities (PPAs),” she added.

The project is set to run for 12 months, aiming to ensure a steady production of affordable tilapia to benefit the local community in Southern Leyte.

This initiative aligns with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly: SDG1 No poverty, SDG2 Zero Hunger, SDG8 Decent Work, SDG12 Responsible consumption and production and SDG14 Protection of Life Below Water.

(Photo courtesy to Department of Agriculture - Eastern Visayas.)

Mr. Erwin P. Remojo, Administrative Officer V of Southern Leyte State University (SLSU) - Bontoc Campus, served as the resource person for the program The Young Entrepreneurship Program: Be Your Own Boss Training (YEP!-BYOB) held at SLSU San Juan Campus from November 19-22, 2024.

Organized by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Southern Leyte Provincial Office through its Negosyo Center Program and the Rural Agro-Industrial Partnership for Development and Growth (RAPID Growth) Project, the program brought together 4th-year BS Entrepreneurship students and aspiring young farmers from Saint Bernard and neighboring municipalities.

The training aimed to equip participants with essential skills and practical knowledge to navigate their entrepreneurial journeys.

Mr. Remojo, who is a former Trade and Industry Development Specialist, shared his expertise, “The objective of the workshop is to help the youth start new small businesses or improve their existing businesses by teaching them the set of core business skills,” Remojo said.

Day one set the stage for creative thinking and problem-solving, with sessions on identifying business opportunities within communities and developing innovative ideas. Participants were introduced to community mapping, enabling them to visualize local business landscapes, identify gaps, and pinpoint customer needs.

Through the lens of design thinking, participants explored empathy as a tool to gain deeper insights into customer behavior. “Empathy allows entrepreneurs to understand what customers need, how they feel, and why they behave as they do when interacting with products or services in real-world settings,” Remojo explained. Using Point-of-View (POV) problem statements and “How Might We” (HMW) questions, participants began ideating creative solutions tailored to their target markets.

Day two emphasized the importance of strategic planning through the Business Model Canvas (BMC), which dissects businesses into nine key components, including Value Proposition, Customer Segments, and Revenue Streams. Working in groups, participants developed BMCs for their business concepts, receiving constructive feedback from resource persons.

Remojo also delved into marketing essentials, introducing the 6Ps of marketing—Product, Price, Place, Promotion, People, and Production—and underscoring the significance of record-keeping and profit optimization. “Understanding marketing strategies is crucial to expanding customer reach and matching products to market demand,” he added.

On the final day, participants focused on crafting streamlined operations plans and preparing for the much-anticipated business pitching competition. Remojo guided them in understanding operational priorities such as cost, time, and quality, as well as inventory management and quality control.

The YEP!-BYOB training concluded with an encouragement, urging participants to apply their newfound knowledge to their ventures and integrate their learnings into academic business plans required for graduation.

This initiative aligns with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly: SDG 4: Quality Education, SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, SDG 10: Reduced Inequality, SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals.