April 28, 2025 – Representatives from Northwest Samar State University (NwSSU) attended the UNESCO World Heritage Nomination and Climate Change Mitigation Conference for Community Leaders of Samar Island Natural Park (SINP) held at the Samar Convention Center.
The event, organized by the Provincial Government of Samar in partnership with the University of Santo Tomas Graduate Studies – Center for Conservation of Cultural Property and Environment in the Tropics, brought together community leaders, environmental agencies, academic institutions, and government representatives to discuss the ongoing efforts to nominate SINP as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
As an academic partner of UST-CCCPET, NwSSU was among the participating institutions supporting the initiative. The university was represented by Vice President for Research, Innovation, and Extension Dr. Riz Rupert Ortiz, with Mr. Joshua Rosillon, and Mr. Novlloyd Celeste, head of the Innovation Technology and Support Office, who attended the program and engaged in discussions on conservation, climate change mitigation, and community participation in heritage protection.
Building on a week of focused environmental initiatives, the April 28 conference served as the culmination of a series of preparatory activities aimed at advancing the SINP Climate Change Action Plan. These included a Research Training session on April 23 and Data Gathering Sessions held from April 24 to 25. The conference highlighted the critical role of the Samar Island Natural Park (SINP) in climate regulation, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable development. With its dense forests, unique flora and fauna, and cultural significance, SINP is recognized as a vital natural resource that warrants global recognition and protection.
Among the highlights of the event were presentations from key agencies such as the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Tourism (DOT), and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), along with discussions on the ecological value of SINP, climate change challenges, and the responsibilities of barangays in environmental protection.
With the continued support of institutions like NwSSU, the vision of elevating SINP to global recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site moves closer to reality, promising a more sustainable and resilient future for the people of Samar.