30/07/2026
๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ฉ๐ข๐ณ ๐๐ฎ๐ฉ๐ฉ๐จ๐ซ๐ญ๐ฌ ๐๐ญ๐ฎ๐๐๐ง๐ญ-๐๐๐ ๐๐๐จ๐ฌ๐ฉ๐๐ญ๐ข๐๐ฅ ๐๐๐ฉ๐ฉ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐๐๐ข๐ญ๐๐ญ ๐๐ฌ๐ฌ๐๐ฌ๐ฌ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ ๐จ๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐ง๐๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ซ๐๐ ๐๐๐ฉ๐๐ฌ-๐ ๐๐ฉ๐๐ฌ ๐ข๐ง ๐๐ฏ๐ข๐ฌ๐๐ง, ๐ข๐ง ๐๐๐ฅ๐๐๐ซ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐จ๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐ง๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ง๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐๐ฅ ๐๐๐ฒ ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐จ๐ง๐ฌ๐๐ซ๐ฏ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐จ๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐๐ง๐ ๐ซ๐จ๐ฏ๐ ๐๐๐จ๐ฌ๐ฒ๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐ฆ
IVISAN, CAPIZ | July 30, 2026 โ In celebration of the International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem (IDCME), observed annually every July 26, and in support of this year's theme, 'Intact Mangroves, Protected Future,' the Department of Environment and Natural Resources โ Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (DENR-PENRO) Capiz, through its Conservation and Development Section (CDS), provided technical assistance to the Grade 12 STEM student researchers of the Roxas City School for Philippine Craftsmen (RCSPC) in the conduct of their research entitled "๐๐๐จ๐ฌ๐ฉ๐๐ญ๐ข๐๐ฅ ๐๐๐ฉ๐ฉ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐๐๐ข๐ญ๐๐ญ ๐๐ฌ๐ฌ๐๐ฌ๐ฌ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ ๐จ๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐ง๐๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ซ๐๐ ๐๐๐ฉ๐๐ฌ-๐ ๐๐ฉ๐๐ฌ (๐ช๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐) ๐ข๐ง ๐๐๐ซ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ฒ ๐๐ ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ญ๐ข๐ง ๐๐๐ฏ๐๐ซ๐ซ๐, ๐๐ฏ๐ข๐ฌ๐๐ง, ๐๐๐ฉ๐ข๐ณ."
The field activity, conducted on July 30, 2026, was carried out in collaboration with the BS Fisheries students of Northern Iloilo State University (NISU) โ College of Fisheries and with the invaluable support of the Barangay Local Government Unit of Barangay Agustin Navarra, under the leadership of Punong Barangay Danny T. Loberes.
The research aimed to document the spatial distribution, habitat condition, and current conservation status of the ๐๐ง๐๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ซ๐๐ ๐๐๐ฉ๐๐ฌ-๐ ๐๐ฉ๐๐ฌ (๐ถ๐๐๐๐ก๐๐ ๐ก๐๐๐๐ ๐โ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐), regarded as one of the Philippines' most threatened mangrove species. Through geospatial mapping and habitat assessment, the study seeks to generate baseline scientific information that will support biodiversity conservation, coastal resource management, and future environmental planning initiatives in the municipality of Ivisan.
Prior to the field assessment, the student researchers and participating NISU trainees underwent a technical orientation facilitated by DENR Capiz to ensure that standardized assessment methodologies and geospatial mapping procedures were properly understood and consistently applied during data collection.
During the field assessment, participants conducted a systematic inventory of Gapas-gapas stands by recording the geographic coordinates of individual trees using Global Positioning System (GPS) technology and mobile mapping applications. They also collected essential ecological data, including tree diameter at breast height (DBH), associated mangrove species, regeneration, habitat characteristics, substrate type, canopy condition, tree health, and observable threats affecting the species and its habitat.
The activity also provided the participating students with firsthand experience in biodiversity assessment and mangrove ecosystem monitoring, allowing them to apply classroom knowledge in an actual field setting while appreciating the ecological importance of mangrove forests and the role of science in environmental conservation.
DENR Capiz personnel emphasized that accurate geospatial information is essential in identifying priority conservation areas, monitoring threatened species, and guiding evidence-based management decisions. The generated spatial data and habitat assessment results are expected to contribute to future conservation strategies for Gapas-gapas, while serving as valuable reference materials for local government units, academic institutions, and environmental managers.
The active participation of the Barangay Local Government Unit of Barangay Agustin Navarra, led by Punong Barangay Danny T. Loberes, greatly contributed to the successful implementation of the activity. The support of the barangay government reflects the community's commitment to protecting its coastal ecosystems and conserving the remaining populations of this endangered mangrove species.
Through this collaborative initiative, DENR Capiz continues to strengthen partnerships with academic institutions, local government units, and local communities in promoting science-based conservation and environmental stewardship. The activity likewise reinforces the objectives of the International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem by raising awareness of the ecological importance of mangrove forests, encouraging youth participation in biodiversity conservation, and generating scientific information that can support the long-term protection and sustainable management of the country's coastal wetlands.
The results of the study are expected to provide valuable baseline information on the distribution and habitat condition of Gapas-gapas (๐ถ๐๐๐๐ก๐๐ ๐ก๐๐๐๐ ๐โ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐) in Barangay Agustin Navarra. These findings will support future biodiversity monitoring, habitat management, restoration planning, and conservation initiatives aimed at ensuring the long-term survival of one of the Philippines' most threatened mangrove species and safeguarding the ecological integrity of Capiz's coastal ecosystems for future generations.
