14.2 Supporting aquatic ecosystems through education
The Beach Litter Monitoring Project funded by PEMSEA: Documentation
– The Beach Litter Monitoring Project funded by PEMSEA
A six-year NwSSU-PEMSEA program funded by the Republic of Korea (Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries), the Beach Monitoring of Marine Plastics/Litter in Calbayog City aims to track marine litter trends to support SDG 14. Now on its 2nd year, it monitors two sites — Naga Beach in Brgy. Carayman and Malajog Beach in Brgy. Malajog — in partnership with LGU-CSWMO, DENR-EMB, FASPS, and barangay councils. Using Korea’s standardized beach litter methodology conducted quarterly and a citizen science approach, the program generates science-based data for local policy and long-term marine protection.
Reduce marine pollution from land-based activities
Quality Procedure Manual SDO-QP-02 – Waste Management Procedure
NwSSU implements a campus-wide waste management system per SDO-QP-02, with segregation at source into biodegradable, non-biodegradable, and hazardous wastes. Biodegradable wastes go to the university landfill, recyclables to the MRF, and PET bottles to city PET processors, while residual wastes are disposed at the city landfill in coordination with CSWMO.
This supports SDG 14 by preventing plastic and residual wastes from leaking into waterways and reaching the sea, thereby reducing land-based marine pollution and protecting marine ecosystems.
SAVE-EARTHA Training Documentation
– Save Me Movement – NwSSU Chapter
Officers of the SAVE ME Movement Organization served as facilitators during the SAVE-EARTHA Training on Instructional Material Development and conducted an IEC Campaign for students of Cabicahan Integrated School on Waste Reduction and Biodiversity Conservation anchored on circular economy principles.
The activity supports SDG 14.1 by educating young learners on waste reduction at source, preventing land-based waste from reaching rivers and coastal waters. By promoting proper waste segregation and circular economy practices, it builds long-term behavioral change to reduce marine pollution.
14.2.2 – Sustainable fisheries (community outreach)
International E-Waste Day Documentation
– Save Me Movement – NwSSU Chapter
Celebrated annually on October 14, International E-Waste Day was observed to raise awareness on the growing impacts of electronic waste and to promote circularity for e-products.
This year’s theme, “Fast Tech: Don’t Bin It, Bring It!”, highlights the urgent need to address small, everyday electronic clutter. The campaign called on the community to use devices longer, repair when possible, recycle responsibly, and choose sustainable options.
– City Environement and Natural Resource Office – Calbayog
CENRO Calbayog City, together with BSES students of NwSSU as young researchers, conducted field water quality sampling and assessment in the coastal barangays of Tarabucan, Cagbayang, and Mag-ubay.
While the activity aims to identify and test potential alternative water sources for agricultural irrigation in preparation for the anticipated Super El Niño, it directly contributes to SDG 14 – Reduce marine pollution from land-based activities. By monitoring the quality of inland and coastal water sources, the initiative helps prevent contamination, nutrient runoff, and other land-based pollutants from flowing into coastal and marine ecosystems.
This proactive monitoring supports the protection of marine biodiversity and aquatic food systems, ensures sustainable use of coastal water resources, and strengthens community resilience to climate-related water stress.
14.3 Supporting aquatic ecosystems through action
14.3.1 – Conservation and sustainable utilisation
of the oceans (events)
– City Environment and Natural Resources Office – Calbayog
Water Quality Sampling & Assessment!
CENRO Calbayog, together with NwSSU BSES student-researchers, conducted water sampling in Brgys. Tarabucan, Cagbayang, and Mag-ubay to identify alternative water sources for irrigation in preparation for the anticipated Super El Niño.
14.3.2 – Food from aquatic ecosystems (policies)
This study conducts a comprehensive suitability assessment of the floodplains of the Taft River Basin in Eastern Samar, historically affected by the post-operations of the Bagacay Mines, for safe agriculture and aquaculture food production.
Given the long-term environmental impacts of acid mine drainage and potential heavy metal contamination from the abandoned Bagacay Mines, the assessment evaluates soil and water quality, heavy metal concentration, and ecological risk to determine the viability of floodplain areas for growing crops and culturing aquatic food species.
14.3.3 – Maintain ecosystems and their biodiversity (direct work)
Memorandum of Agreement
Taft River Basin Suitability Assessment of soil and water in Taft River floodplains contaminated by Bagacay Mines sees if it’s safe for agriculture and aquaculture. Acid mine drainage with heavy metals flows downstream to the sea and destroys aquatic ecosystems and biodiversity.
It contributes to maintaining ecosystems and their biodiversity by identifying polluted areas to avoid, and preventing further degradation of downstream coastal and marine habitats.
SAVE ME Joins ISKOastline Care Coastal Clean-Up 2026 Documentation
– Save Me Movement – NwSSU Chapter
International Coastal Cleanup Day 2026 Documentation
– Save Me Movement – NwSSU Chapter
Removing plastics and solid waste from coastal areas directly prevents loss of biodiversity – entanglement, ingestion, habitat destruction, and microplastic contamination. You maintained the coastal ecosystem.
How to write in matrix: Action to maintain coastal ecosystems and protect marine biodiversity by removing marine debris that threatens aquatic species and their habitats.
14.3.4 – Technologies towards aquatic ecosystem damage prevention (direct work)
Direct use of water quality sampling and assessment technology to monitor and prevent aquatic ecosystem damage.
– Save Me Movement – NwSSU Chapter
Water Quality Sampling & Assessment in Tarabucan, Cagbayang, Mag-ubay.
Water quality sampling and laboratory assessment technology are used to test potential water sources. The technology is used to detect contamination early and prevent damaged water from being used for irrigation and flowing into coastal ecosystems.
Memorandum of Agreement
Taft River Basin Suitability Assessment.
Soil and water testing / suitability assessment technology is used to detect heavy metal contamination from Bagacay Mines. The technology prevents damage by identifying unsafe zones for aquaculture and agriculture before they harm aquatic ecosystems.
Quality Procedure Manual SDO-QP-02 – Waste Management Procedure
NwSSU Waste Management System
This counts as a technology/system. Segregation bins, MRF, university landfill, and PET bottle processing are waste management technologies that prevent plastic and hazardous waste from reaching waterways.
14.4 Water sensitive waste disposal
14.4.1 – Water discharge guidelines and standards
NwSSU Environmental Conservation and Sustainability Plan – Priority Area 4: Water Conservation Management (Goal 4)
– NwSSU – Environmental Conservation & Sustainability Plan
– Water Discharge Guidelines and Standars
Goal 4 aims to ensure sustainable use, protection, and conservation of water resources within NwSSU and its adopted communities.
This priority area focuses on promoting responsible water consumption, improving water use efficiency, protecting water quality, and building resilience against water scarcity and climate-related risks such as El Niño. It covers initiatives on water auditing, rainwater harvesting, wastewater management, protection of watersheds and coastal waters, water quality monitoring, and community-based water conservation.
14.4.2 – Action plan to reducing plastic waste
NwSSU has policies and programs that directly prevent and reduce marine pollution, especially from land-based sources. The university’s Water Discharge Guidelines and Standards outline responsible wastewater management, rainwater harvesting, leak prevention, and proper disposal systems that limit pollutant runoff into surrounding waterways. The file also shows strong implementation of solid waste management, including strict waste segregation, a materials recovery facility (MRF), plastic reduction initiatives, and campus-wide clean-up campaigns such as “AAKUHON KO AN KAPLASTIKAN MO.” These policies and practices significantly reduce land-based pollution that could reach marine environments.
The SAVE ME Movement Organization – NwSSU Chapter, composed of BSES students and environmental advocates, participated in the ISKOastline Care: Coastal Clean-Up Drive 2026, spearheaded by the NwSSU DOST Scholars Association in collaboration with the Junior Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers (JPICE) – NwSSU Student Chapter.
The activity aimed to foster environmental awareness and promote the preservation and protection of coastal areas through collective community action. The clean-up drive highlights the role of student organizations in supporting coastal sustainability and community-based environmental stewardship.
14.4.3 – Reducing marine pollution (policy)
– The Beach Litter Monitoring Project funded by PEMSEA: Year-I Monitoring Evaluation Presentation
A six-year NwSSU-PEMSEA program funded by the Republic of Korea (Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries), the Beach Monitoring of Marine Plastics/Litter in Calbayog City aims to track marine litter trends to support SDG 14, 11, and 17. Now on its 2nd year, it monitors two sites — Naga Beach in Brgy. Carayman and Malajog Beach in Brgy. Malajog — in partnership with LGU-CSWMO, DENR-EMB, FASPS, and barangay councils. Using Korea’s standardized beach litter methodology conducted quarterly and a citizen science approach, the program generates science-based data for local policy and long-term marine protection.
14.5 Maintaining a local ecosystem
14.5.1 – Minimizing alteration of aquatic
ecosystems (plan)
Quality Procedure Manual SDO-QP-02 – Waste Management Procedure
NwSSU Waste Management System – SDO-QP-02
A Quality Procedure Manual for Waste Management with clear steps for segregation, collection, and disposal.
It directly minimizes alteration of aquatic ecosystems because it prevents university waste, plastics, and hazardous waste from entering drainage, rivers, and coastal waters. The plan ensures:
Segregation at source; Biodegradable to university landfill; Recyclables to MRF;
MOA; Project Proposal
– Revised form Detailed Project Proposal
Taft River Basin Suitability Assessment.
The assessment provides the scientific basis for a plan. By identifying which floodplains are contaminated by Bagacay Mines and unsafe for aquaculture, you prevent alteration of aquatic ecosystems from unsafe aquaculture expansion and mine pollution.
14.5.2 – Monitoring the health of aquatic ecosystems
Project Proposal
– Revised form Detailed Project Proposal
Taft River Basin Suitability Assessment for Agriculture and Aquaculture
Monitoring is done on a larger scale. It assessed soil and water quality in Taft River Basin floodplains impacted by Bagacay Mines to check for heavy metal contamination from acid mine drainage. It is used to monitor the health of the river basin ecosystem to determine if it is safe for aquaculture and to prevent further damage to downstream aquatic ecosystems.
Water Quality Sampling & Assessment Video Documentation
– City Environment and Natural Resources Office – Calbayog
Water Quality Sampling & Assessment in Tarabucan, Cagbayang, and Mag-ubay
CENRO Calbayog City together with NwSSU BSES students conducted actual water quality sampling in 3 coastal barangays to identify alternative irrigation sources and prepare for Super El Niño. It monitored water quality to check if it is safe and to prevent contaminated water from harming aquatic ecosystems.
14.5.3 – Programmes towards good
aquatic stewardship practices
As part of International Coastal Cleanup Day 2026 on Sept. 19, 2026, an advocacy campaign highlighted the global impact of single-use trash and the importance of community clean-ups. The initiative stressed that collected litter is tracked to map pollution hotspots and support policy change, promoting collective action to protect waterways and marine ecosystems
14.5.4 – Collaboration for shared aquatic
ecosystems
Water Quality Sampling & Assessment Video Documentation
– City Environment and Natural Resources Office – Calbayog
CENRO, together with NWSSU BSES students, conducted field water quality sampling and assessment in Brgy. Tarabucan, Cagbayang, and Mag-ubay.
This is the NWSSU BSES students’ continuing initiative to identify and test potential alternative water sources for agricultural irrigation in preparation for the anticipated Super El Niño.
14.5.5 – Watershed management strategy
MOA; Project Proposal
– Revised form Detailed Project Proposal
A research study on the Taft River Basin Suitability Assessment
Taft River which is a watershed, and your study assessed soil and water quality in its floodplains impacted by Bagacay Mines to determine if it is safe for agriculture and aquaculture.
It is watershed management because you are identifying pollution sources (acid mine drainage, heavy metals) and guiding safe land and water use in the watershed to protect downstream aquatic ecosystems.
Matrix wording: Research assessment of Taft River Basin watershed to guide management of land and water use, identify mine-related contamination, and prevent degradation of the watershed and downstream coastal ecosystems.
Quality Procedure Manual SDO-QP-02 – Waste Management Procedure
Pollution control in the watershed – NwSSU Waste Management System (SDO-QP-02). Waste management is a component of watershed protection. By preventing solid and hazardous waste from entering drainage and rivers, NwSSU reduces pollution load in the watershed.
Institutional waste management plan that reduces land-based pollution entering the Calbayog watershed and its waterways.
Water Quality Sampling & Assessment Video Documentation
– City Environment and Natural Resources Office – Calbayog
Implementation part of watershed management –
The Water Quality Sampling in Tarabucan, Cagbayang, and Mag-ubay –
This was done with CENRO to monitor water sources for irrigation in preparation for Super El Niño. Monitoring water quality is a key component of a watershed management strategy. It is joint monitoring with CENRO Calbayog City of water quality in coastal barangay watersheds to assess water availability and health, and to support watershed management decisions for irrigation and ecosystem protection.