09/05/2026
The UP Marine Science Institute was honored with the 2026 Gawad Tsanselor sa Natatanging Programang Pang-ekstensiyon for the Plastics Research Capacity Building Initiatives of the Microbial Oceanography Laboratory led by Dr. Deo Florence Onda.
Director Dr. Arturo O. Lluisma received the award together with Dr. Onda and Norchel Corcia Gomez during โNilinang sa Kalinga: Linggo ng Parangal 2026โ held at the Institute of Biology Auditorium held on May 8, 2026.
In response to the heavy plastic pollution in Philippine waters, the Microbial Oceanography Laboratory has launched several programs and activities to build a national network of plastics researchers across the country. Activities were designed to address the limitations in manpower discussed in the National Plan of Action on Marine Litter. Capacity building targeted stakeholders across sectors โ national government agencies, non-government organizations, private industry, early-career researchers, academics, students, and the general public โ using various approaches to manage plastic pollution, expand its research methods, and even invite ordinary citizens to contribute.
Since the initiatives were first launched in 2019, the Microbial Oceanography Laboratory has organized and conducted 2 national conferences, more than 10 workshops, and 5 community education campaigns on plastic pollution. The initiatives have trained 6 government agencies, 21 personnel, and over 150 early-career researchers from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. More programs are still being planned towards a vision of a robust Philippine plastics research network.
This marks the fourth time that UP MSI has received the award. UP MSI was previously awarded the Gawad Tsanselor sa Natatanging Programang Pang-ekstensiyon for the establishment of the Bolinao Marine Laboratory, capacity-building efforts for the Philippine Coast Guard, and the establishment of the National Academic Research Fleet.
Padayon, Mandaragat ng Bayan!
