10 November 2016, Don Mariano Marcos Memorial University (DMMMSU), Bacnotan. 20 yr old Renalyn M. Canillo, from Barangay (Tag., town) from San Francisco, Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro, Philippines was on November 10th formalised as FEED’s first scholar at DMMMSU, in Bacnotan, La Union Province, The Philippines.
Represented by Professor Lilito “Lito” D. Gavina, Director of Partnerships and Special Projects, DMMMSU Bacnotan; and FEED President Ofelia Bakker-Mananquil, signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) adopting Renalyn as the first-ever FEED Scholar at DMMMSU Bacnotan to study the first-ever “Biophysical and Bioclimatic Characteristics Study of Mangrove Sites in the La Union Province using Geographic Information Systems (GIS)”.
Signing of MOA, 10 November 2016 @ DMMMSU-NLU, Bacnotan, La Union Province
Extract:“Biophysical and Bioclimatic Characteristics Study of Mangrove Sites in the La Union Province using Geographic Information Systems (GIS)”.
The purpose of the study is to establish the scientific and practical basis on which to determine the immediate and sustainable interventions required to protect La Union Province’s coastline – where “large and rapid shoreline movements” have disrupted the livelihood of turtles, fisher folk and the tourism community at large. Aside from the PHP25,000 research grant, FEED is sponsoring PHP12,000 for the purchase of the GIS technology – a Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) handheld device to be used to capture data on the mangrove sites in La Union; and, thereafter, donated to DMMMSU’s Institute of Agroforestry and Watershed Management in Bacnotan.
The mangrove study will determine the:
- Biophysical attributes in terms of elevation, slope, soil texture, distance to built up, distance to cropland, distance to shrubs and trees and, distance to river;
- Bioclimatic attributes in terms of temperature and rainfall;
- Mangrove sites in La Union and Mangrove species found in the sites; and
- Quantify the salinity of the Mangrove habitats.
Renallyn complied with the main scholarship requirements of FEED-DMMMSU, a.o. currently-enrolled at DMMMSU; must have completed the first two years of college education; and be in good academic standing with a Grade Weighted Average of at least 2.5 for the last two semesters with no grade lower than 3.0 since first year.
The Philippines has very rich biodiversity in terms of number and percentage. It is regarded as one of 17 mega biodiversity countries due to its geographical isolation, diverse habitats and high rates of endemism. It ranks 5th globally in terms of the number of plant species and maintains 5 % of the world’s flora. In mangroves alone, the country holds at least 50 % mangrove species of the world’s approximately 65 species. However, due to anthropogenic activities as well as natural disturbances, the country continues to lose its rich biodiversity resources including mangroves (http://siteresources.worldbank.org/INTPHILIPPINES/Resources/WBCEAPhilCoastalandMarineSectorReportFINAL.pdf).”
The Province of La Union is located in the northern part of Luzon. It is a regional capitol of the Ilocos Region and is bounded by Ilocos Sur province in the north, Pangasinan province in the south, the Cordillera Region in the east, and the Lingayen Gulf and West Philippine Sea in the west. The province has a land area of 149,309 ha with an estimated coastline of 155.4 km (Lacsamana, 2012).
“Mangroves in the province provide spawning and nursery grounds of fishes and crustaceans, and habitat for local and migratory birds particularly in Sto. Tomas and Agoo. Mangroves serve as sources of livelihoods, providing fish, crustaceans and mollusks particularly in Sto. Tomas, Agoo, Aringay, Bauang, San Fernando, and San Juan and, products such as nipa shingles for roofing in Aringay, firewood and charcoal in Aringay, Agoo, San Fernando, and San Juan…Mangroves also protect our coastal areas from typhoons and storm surges due to its crown and trunks, which break the impact of strong winds and excessive flow of water.”
Source: Provincial Fishery Profile 2013.
About DMMMSU, Bacnotan
The North La Union Campus (NLUC) of the Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University (DMMMSU) evolved through a series of metamorphosis since June 18, 1969 to the present.
The Campus had its beginning as the La Union Agricultural School (LUAS) established through RA No. 2692 and signed on June 18, 1960. Then Congressman Francisco Ortega was among the prime movers in the drafting of the law had established the LUAS.
Bestowed with panoramic views of thick vegetation and lush forest adjacent to it, the North La Union Campus is the cleanest, greenest and largest campus of the Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University, the only university in La Union.
In its almost 26 years of operation as a learning institution since DMMMSU became a university, DMMMSU-NLUC continued to excel in various fields like agriculture, forestry, agroforestry, teacher education, agricultural engineering and veterinary medicine as manifested by the results of Licensure Examinations conducted annually. Some of NLUC’s graduates made it to the list of top achievers. As the campus progresses, it has opened several other relevant courses as mandated by the mission and vision of the University. These include agribusiness management, environmental science, information management, watershed management, the newest course. All of these programs/courses are performing well as evidenced by the results of the recently conducted accreditation by a national accrediting agency. A new course will also be offered this coming first Semester- BS in Community Development.
Most faculty members are Ph. D. and Master’s Degree holders; the rest are pursuing graduate studies in their respective fields of specialisation, with some who took their graduate studies abroad.
DMMMSI Contact Information:
Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University
North La Union Campus
Sapilang, Bacnotan, La Union Philippines
Tel. No: (072) 242-1117 (For local directory, click here to view listing)
MIS Email: nlucmis@gmail.com
Website: http://www.dmmmsu-nluc.org
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