SLSU Bontoc and partners hold Ocean Month Celebration

In observance of National Oceans Month 2025, Southern Leyte State University (SLSU) Bontoc Campus, with its main partner, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Regional Office VIII (DENR RO VIII), spearheaded a day event to celebrate the ocean and raise awareness on the importance of collective actions for a healthier ocean. This event happened on May 7, 2025, at SLSU-Bontoc.

The event started with a joint coastal clean-up initiative participated by the local government unit of Bontoc, Southern Leyte, the Bontoc Multi-Purpose Cooperative Inc. (BCCI), DENR RO VIII, Alpha Phi Omega XI RHO Alumni Association, and students from the Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology (BSMB), Fisheries (BSFi), Information Technology (BSIT), and Agriculture (BSA) programs. The clean-up efforts were focused on Makwasi area, Bontoc Port, and Bontoc Bridge—areas that serve as vital waterways for marine ecosystems and nearby communities.

Participants collected plastic waste, discarded fishing gear, and other debris threatening coastal and marine life. The collected wastes were segregated and subsequently recorded. This joint initiative aimed to raise awareness of environmental protection and encourage long-term commitment to ocean preservation.

“Ocean preservation isn’t just a responsibility for environmentalists—it’s for everyone who benefits from the sea,” Pascual said, SLSU-Bontoc Campus Director. “This clean-up drive highlights the vital role that LGU, students, and citizens play in protecting marine biodiversity,” she added.

Students from the BSFi and BSMB programs also expressed support for marine conservation. “The ocean is our classroom, and we must protect it,” said BSFi student Jenny Sabandal. “This clean-up drive reminds us that our actions, no matter how small, can have a significant impact,” she added.

The clean-up was followed by a program at the university’s Multi-Purpose Covered Court. SLSU-Bontoc’s Campus Director, Dr. Gladys Ludevese Pascual, delivered her welcoming remarks, emphasizing the importance of collaboration in marine resource conservation.

DENR RO VIII’s Conservation and Development Division Section Chief, Ms. Gerly P. Doming, conveyed her message of thanks, highlighted the need for sustained inter-agency efforts to protect marine biodiversity, and expressed gratitude to SLSU for organizing the activity.

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