SDG 15: Life on Land

In steadfast adherence to its mission of community service and solidarity, the University, in collaboration with the WE CARE Office, the Administrative and Non-Teaching Employees Union (ANTEU), and the dedicated College Extension Coordinators (CECs), mobilized relief efforts to extend aid to disaster-stricken communities across Mindanao. With a spirit of compassion and urgency, the university stood in solidarity with those affected by the recent calamities, extending a helping hand to alleviate their hardships. The outreach initiative reached out to various disaster-affected regions, including Surigao, Maguindanao, and Oroquieta City, where floodwaters and landslides had caused widespread devastation.

Faculty and staff members volunteered their time and efforts to facilitate the distribution of much-needed relief supplies. Working tirelessly, they ensured that assistance reached the hands of those who needed it most, embodying the university's ethos of service and community engagement. The relief assistance extended by the university encompassed a range of essential items, including both food and non-food provisions. Each relief pack contained vital staples such as five kilograms of rice, instant noodles, coffee, and canned goods, providing nourishment to sustain families during their time of need. Additionally, efforts were made to address immediate comfort and hygiene needs, with the distribution of clothing, pillows, and blankets to offer warmth and solace amidst the challenges faced by affected communities.

By mobilizing these relief efforts, the university reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to stand in solidarity with its neighboring communities, offering tangible support and solidarity in times of crisis. Through collective action and compassionate outreach, the university sought to extend a beacon of hope and resilience to those grappling with the aftermath of disaster, demonstrating the transformative power of unity and compassion in rebuilding lives and communities.

The University, leveraging the expertise and resources of its esteemed College of Arts and Social Sciences, spearheaded a dynamic extension project titled "SK Capability-Building." This initiative was crafted to bolster the skills, knowledge, and effectiveness of Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials across Iligan City, empowering them to navigate the complexities of governance and community leadership with confidence and competence.

Recognizing the pivotal role of the SK in shaping local governance and youth empowerment, the university's endeavor sought to cultivate a cadre of informed, skilled, and proactive leaders capable of effecting positive change in their respective communities. Through a multifaceted approach encompassing training, mentorship, and capacity-building exercises, the project aimed to equip SK officials with the tools and insights necessary to fulfill their mandates effectively and responsibly.

Moreover, the project fostered a supportive ecosystem of collaboration and knowledge-sharing, facilitating meaningful exchanges among SK officials, university mentors, and community stakeholders. Through mentorship programs, networking opportunities, and peer-to-peer learning forums, participants were encouraged to leverage collective insights, experiences, and best practices to drive innovation and excellence in governance and community development.

Through sustained investment in the empowerment of young leaders, the university remained steadfast in its commitment to fostering a lasting legacy of civic engagement, ethical leadership, social responsibility, and sustainable development– laying the foundation for a brighter, more prosperous future for Iligan City and beyond.

The College of Science and Mathematics and ILIGANiCE Team conducted an extension project entitled, “Biodiversity Assessment and Conservation of Flora and Fauna in Sikyop Sitio Lawlawon, Barangay Rogongon, Iligan City”. This project was established upon the request of the Local Government Unit in Iligan City for its proposed ecotourism conversion of the “Sikyop Adventure Park” in barangay Rogongon, Iligan City.

The MSU-IIT team specifically:

determined the species richness, density, relative density, frequency, relative frequency, dominance cover, relative dominance, species diversity, and species importance value of the flora in the area through biodiversity indices; assessed the distribution and conservation status of the flora and fauna through the International Union for the Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species and DENR Administrative Order; identified species of medicinal plants and their uses; evaluated endemic or native species of trees that can be good candidates for forest rehabilitation; formulated conservation measures in consultation with the LGU and the community; and produced information, education, and communication materials in order to promote biodiversity awareness among stakeholders and visitors to the said area.

The results of the project served as baseline information on the diversity, distribution, and status of the flora and fauna in Sikyop and its environs which will guide the LGU in formulating a conservation and ecotourism management plan (EMP). Such project is highly relevant and useful, as it helped ensure the sustainability of the proposed Sikyop ecotourism, as well as conserve the biodiversity in the area for future generations.

Importantly, the local community in Sikyop and stakeholders directly benefited in this project since the status of biodiversity can determine the environment’s resiliency towards external stress.