15.2 Supporting land ecosystems through education
15.2.1 – Events about sustainable use of land
Conference article: UNESCO World Heritage Nomination and Climate Change Mitigation Conference for Community Leaders of Samar Island Natural Park (SINP)
– NwSSU Joins UNESCO World Heritage Nomination and Climate Conference for SINP
NwSSU news article (posted May 13, 2025) on the April 28, 2025 conference at the Samar Convention Center. NwSSU, as academic partner of UST-CCCPET, was represented by the VP for RIE and ITSO staff; discussions covered conservation, climate change mitigation and community participation in protecting SINP.
Northwest Samar State University (NwSSU) researchers earned distinction after placing third in the Best Paper – Completed Research Category during the VICARP Cluster 2 Inter-Agency Level 2
– Award of Distinction for Phytoremediation Paper on Land Heavy Metal Pollution
The research examined the diversity, ecological structure, and phytoremediation capacity of plant species along the Taft River, focusing on their ability to absorb heavy metals such as copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), arsenic (As), and lead (Pb). The findings offer valuable insights into environmental management and pollution mitigation strategies as well as sustainable use of our lands.
NwSSU presentation to LGU Taft on the rehabilitation of mining-affected agricultural land
– The 70-Year Tax on Samar’s Soil: Why We Cannot Let Bagacay’s Toxic Legacy Defeat Science
NwSSU researchers presented a soil rehabilitation project to Taft Mayor Gina A. Ty. In Barangay Mabuhay, the team tested soil amendments aimed at reducing the uptake of potentially toxic elements by rice, sweet potato, and sweet corn.
15.2.2 – Sustainably farmed food on campus
FY 2025 tree and animal inventories for campus food production
– Inventory of Trees and Animals within NwSSU for Food Production
NwSSU maintained separate FY 2025 inventories of trees and animals associated with campus food production. These records document the university’s agricultural resources.
15.2.3 – Maintain and extend current
ecosystems’ biodiversity
NwSSU Environmental Conservation and Sustainability Plan – Priority Area 1: Land Use Developments (Goal 1)
– NwSSU – Environmental Conservation & Sustainability Plan
Public university plan (page last modified May 15, 2025). Goal 1 commits to protecting open and green spaces, tree planting and maintenance of existing trees, green infrastructure, and developing a policy protecting the ecological values of viable and important species.
NwSSU Team Inspects 900 ha site for environmental research hub
– NwSSU Team Inspects 900 ha site for environmental research hub
OCTOBER 17, 2025 — A multidisciplinary team from the Northwest Samar State University (NwSSU)—Main Campus and San Jorge Campus conducted an ocular visit and site inspection in Brgy. Matalud, San Jorge, Samar, on Friday, to assess the University’s sprawling 900-hectare property.
Tree planting Initiative by the BS Forestry StudentsÂ
Public university plan (page last modified May 15, 2025). Goal 1 commits to protecting open and green spaces, tree planting and maintenance of existing trees, green infrastructure, and developing a policy protecting the ecological values of viable and important species.
First wave of the Capacity Building on Rainforestation–Aquilaria Farming in the Calbayog Pan-as Hayiban Protected Landscape project
On 13 December 2025, NwSSU Development Communication, the College of Agriculture and Technology, and San Jorge Campus worked with local farmers to plant lapnisan, dao, and lawaan in Barangay Bayo, Oquendo District, Calbayog City, as part of the university’s rainforestation project.
15.2.4 – Educational programmes on ecosystems
BS Forestry program (NwSSU San Jorge Campus) and BS in Environmental Science (NwSSU Main Campus)
– Educational Programs Offered in NwSSU
CHED noted Program Curriculum for BS Forestry and BS Agriculture offered at the San Jorge Campus and BS in Environmental Science offered at the Main Campus shows ecosystem-related courses such as e.g., Forest Ecology, Biodiversity, Environmental Science.
Official Social Media (FB page of the BS Forestry Student Organization)
– Forestry Student Society – NwSSU San Jorge Campus
Official Social Media (FB page of the BS Forestry Student Organization) to dessiminate information and activities being undertaken by the program its faculty and the students.
Official Social Media (FB page of the BS Environmental Science Student Organization)
– Save ME Movement – NwSSU Chapter
Official Social Media (FB page of the BS Environmental Science Student Organization) to dessiminate information and activities being undertaken by the program its faculty and the students.
15.2.5 – Sustainable management of land for
agriculture (educational outreach)
News article: NwSSU Extends Sustainable Farming Advocacy to Brgy. Rosalim (USWAG Outreach Program)
– NwSSU Extend Sustainable Advocay to Brgy. Rosalim
Posted Oct 15, 2025; activity held Oct 11, 2025 in Brgy. Rosalim, San Jorge, Samar. Lectures and demonstrations on organic and sustainable farming (fermented plant/fruit juices, minimal tillage, vermicomposting) by BSA/BAT faculty for members of the Rosalim Agrarian Reform Cooperative, with BSA students as facilitators. Project leader: Ms. Emily V. Lamo.
15.2.6 – Sustainable management of land for tourism
(educational outreach)
Conservation of Samar’s historic fortification sites, 5–8 February
NwSSU personnel helped document and assess the Sta. Rita, Bangahon, and Zumarraga fortification sites. The partner report connects preservation of these sites to sustainable tourism and calls for community involvement in restoration.
Tourism site evaluation for Samar’s provincial development plan, 18–22 February
NwSSU Tourism Management faculty Ghilson B. Amor and Mia Cheryl E. Casiracan evaluated existing and potential tourist attractions with UST and the Samar Provincial Tourism Office. Their work contributed to the province’s 2025–2034 Sustainable Strategic Tourism Development Plan.
NwSSU Extension Office – Extension Projects (Sustainable Agriculture and Ecotourism agenda; community-based sustainable tourism project, Brgy. Malajog and Malopalo, Phase 3)
– Completed and Ongoing Extension Project of NwSSU in 2025
Public Extension Office page (last modified Oct 24, 2024) listing the ongoing project “Capacity Development on Future and Strategic Foresight – Managing Change and Social Transformation Through Community-Based Sustainable Tourism Development Initiatives in Brgy. Malajog and Brgy. Malopalo, Calbayog City (Phase 3)”, 1-year duration.
15.3 Supporting land ecosystems through action
15.3.1 – Sustainable use, conservation and
restoration of land (policy)
NwSSU Environmental Conservation and Sustainability Plan – Priority Area 1: Land Use Developments
– NwSSU – Environmental Conservation & Sustainabilty Plan
States that land use planning should determine specific uses of land and natural resources without degrading the environment, with special consideration for critical and hazard-risk areas, open and green spaces.
15.3.2 – Monitoring IUCN and other conservation species (policies)
None existent policy on Monitoring IUCN and other conservation Species at NwSSU
species (policies)
None existent policy on Monitoring IUCN and other conservation Species at NwSSU
species (policies)
15.3.3 – Local biodiversity included in planning
and development
NwSSU Environmental Conservation and Sustainability Plan – land use planning statement
– NwSSU – Environmental Conservation & Sustainabilty Plan
NwSSU’s Environmental Conservation and Sustainability Plan calls for land-use decisions that protect green spaces, maintain existing trees, and consider the ecological value of local species when planning campus development.
15.3.4 – Alien species impact reduction (policies)
None existent policy on Alien species impact reduction at NwSSU
15.3.5 – Collaboration for shared land ecosystems
Memorandum of Agreement: NwSSU and Bamboo Impact Lab OPC – Sustainable Bamboo Resource Optimization and Innovation Program (SBROIP)
– Rooted in Innovation: NwSSU, Bamboo Impact Lab Ink MOA to Boost Ecosystem and Economy of Samar
News article posted June 18, 2025 on the MOA signed June 17, 2025 (Benguet State University, La Trinidad). University-led research and extension on the bamboo resource (resource mapping, processing, training) with NwSSU implementing and the partner providing technical expertise.
15.4 Land sensitive waste disposal
15.4.1 – Water discharge guidelines and standards
NwSSU Environmental Conservation and Sustainability Plan – Priority Area 4: Water Conservation Management (Goal 4)
– NwSSU – Environmental Conservation & Sustainabilty Plan
Wastewater management plan, wastewater facilities and adoption of a policy/framework based on the Philippine Clean Water Act.
15.4.2 – Policy on plastic waste reduction
NwSSU Waste Management page – Reduce & Recycle (PET bottle collection) with reference to Quality Procedure Manual SDO-QP-02-Waste-Management
Public page (last modified May 27, 2025) describing waste segregation, MRF and PET bottle collection sent to city processors.
15.4.3 – Policy on hazardous waste disposal
NwSSU Waste Management page – Segregation, Collection and Disposal procedure (hazardous waste bins)
Public page (last modified May 27, 2025) stating that segregation bins for biodegradable, non-biodegradable and hazardous waste are placed on campus and that waste goes to the university landfill, city landfill (non-biodegradable and hazardous) or MRF per the Quality Procedure Manual. Reviewer risk: hazardous waste is sent to the city landfill with no treatment/accredited-hauler step described.
