1. work on scientific and environmental problems related to coastal resources in the region;
2. develop sound and lasting resource management policies for the coastal marine areas of Northern Mindanao by forging linkages and networks among stakeholders in local government, the private sector and civil society;
3. develop information education campaign materials (IEC) for specific advocacies that are urgently needed to manage our coastal marine resources; and
4. assist the university in formulating and implementing sustainable, community-based development strategies and measures in its social outreach work among coastal communities.

Link with us! Like us on

ON-GOING PROJECTS

Ridge - River - Reef Program (R3)

General objective:

Determine the extent of impacts of sedimentation from upland on the marine ecosystems and resources of Macajalar Bay.
 
Significance and relevance to the community

Sedimentation is affecting adversely many of our coastal areas and resources because sediment loading alters the environmental condition of the marine habitats and even directly harm the organisms and plants on the site. However, our knowledge about the extent of impact and the specific responses of ecosystems to the threats based on science is also nil. It is therefore important to conduct a research study to address this concern and so as to profit science-based information about the impact and to recommend more accurate adaptive and mitigating measures for a better management of the bay and its resources. Well-researched study will generate information to help managers and planners in the prioritization of sites to be rehabilitated, proper selection of habitats to be managed, and employment of creative and enabling mechanisms to regenerate marine resources. All these hopefully will redound to increase production of marine products for the human consumers. Further, proper identification of critical soil erosion prone areas on the upland can help mitigate disaster risks to communities. Data collected from assessment of soil loss are relevant inputs to improve management of the watershed areas in terms of land uses and resources protection. In the end, the study hopes to be able to help shed light on how best to have a sustainable and integrated management of the upland and coastal environments despite existing limitations.


Information Education Campaign Student Development Advocates (ISDA)


Objectives

Conserving and preserving our environment is very important nowadays, especially with the alarming climate change problem.  Not only are we affected by the changing weather conditions but also by the depleting natural resources and pollution.  One important solution is educating the public to spread awareness about marine environment conservation through the youth since they are the beneficiaries of our natural resources and they are not difficult to educate than the older generations of our community. The NSTP students will be trained to teach marine conservation to primary and secondary schools in the city. They are intensively given lectures on basic marine ecology including games, activities and video showing during the 1st semester to strengthen their understanding of the concepts, before they were set out to do their field work which was done in the 2nd semester.
 
Significance to Community

The significance of the project is educating the community for them to be aware of the present situation of our marine environment as well as The NSTP students to realize how they can do their part in spreading awareness about conserving our marine environment.  They also experienced and now understood the value and difficulties of teaching.  For the NSTP students, this program made them realize that the NSTP program can have an impact in the environment by going beyond just academics (e.g. tutorials) but really with the actual realities happening in our coastal areas.


Macajalar Bay Development Alliance (MBDA)

Objectives
The project covers the networking and liaison activities to bring together all different stakeholders in the maritime corridor to come up with an integrated coastal management plan for the entire corridor using the data gathered from the corollary baseline profiling. The output is the ICZM Framework for the long-term goal of establishing a bay-wide management in the maritime corridor.
 
Significance to Community
ICM is a continuous and dynamic process that unites government and the community, science and management, sectoral and public interests in preparing and implementing an integrated plan for the protection and development of coastal ecosystems and resources.   This project improves the quality of life of human communities who depend on coastal resources while maintaining the biological diversity and productivity of coastal ecosystems.


Coastal Ecosystem Science Research and Adaptive Management: Invertebrate Fisheries Population as Response Indicators for Climate

Objective:

The project is one of the components under the program entitled “Remote Sensing Information for Living Environments and Nationwide Tools for Sentinel Ecosystems in Our  Archipelagic Seas for Climate Change (RESILIENT SEAS)" formerly Integrated Coastal Enhancement: Coastal Research, Evaluation and Adaptive Management (ICE-CREAM). This umbrella program incorporates adaptive measures in multidisciplinary science-based approach to integrated coastal management adaptation to climate change in the Philippines and its global responsibility. The project will evaluate the short and medium term responses to climate change of selected high value invertebrate species through population and corresponding fishery dynamics and mariculture productivity, correlated with the physical environmental monitoring in different biogeographic regions in the country. All these data will be incorporated in simulation and fisheries related models for trend analysis, scenario projection and strategic management purposes.
 
Significance:              
      
This project attempts to understand climate change and resource interactions in shallow-water coastal ecosystems focusing on high value invertebrate (sea urchin, sea cucumber and bivalve) using population dynamics, fisheries and grow-out mariculture.  It will assess the potential effects of human, natural and climate change affecting the health and productivity of the shallow coastal ecosystems using invertebrates as indicators. The information derived will be used in simulation and fisheries models for adaptive management strategies in sustaining resilience and the effective delivery of goods and services in short and medium range responses.

XAVIER UNIVERSITY- ATENEO DE CAGAYAN
McKeough Marine Event Center (MMEC)
Jasaan, Misamis Oriental

1. The McKeough Marine Event Center (MMEC) is a property of Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan, managed by the McKeough Marine Center. The place is located in Solana, Jasaan, Misamis Oriental. It is right along the main highway connecting Cagayan de Oro City and Butuan City. The place is the future location of the Marine Science Laboratory and Station of the University.
    
2. The MMEC is equipped with event facilities ideal for seminars, trainings, workshops, and recollections. These areas operate from 7:00 A.M until 5:00 P.M daily from Monday to Sunday. Any college, school, department, unit, organization, or institution can request use of the event areas. Sleeping accommodations are also available but on a limited basis. 
    
3. Area descriptions:

• The Function Hall is a large covered facility with open sides and can accommodate around 50 people. The large space is conducive for big meetings, lectures, and various group activities. Users will provide their own audio-visual equipment.
• The Cottages are small-sized covered areas with seats around a table suitable for groups of up to 8 people. The set up is conducive for small group sharing and discussion.
• The Tree House affords groups of up to 8 people the opportunity to conduct a productive event while at the same time experiencing a breath of nature’s fresh air.
• Kitchen facilities are available for an additional fee (please inquire when making your reservation).
• There are 3 standard rooms on the 2nd floor of the 2–storey house. There is an additional fee for the use of the rooms and the house.
• The whole event area is fenced around and has landscaped gardens on one side adjacent to the main road and is open on the opposite side fronting the beach. The sandy loam beach is dotted with individual palm trees.
• There is one comfort room and one shower room for males and one comfort room and one shower room for females on the premises.

4. Requests will be evaluated based on both first-in-time priority and substantive merit. Any user shall book prior to the scheduled event and program through the MMC office. Booking is considered confirmed upon approval by the MMC office and the payment of appropriate charges. It is the responsibility of the users to maintain cleanliness inside the MMEC.
    
5. MMEC promotes environmentally-friendly practices. Users should observe the following:

                        a. Recycle and reuse of materials, particularly paper
                        b. Conserve power and water consumption
                        c. Reduce non-biodegradable wastes

6. Any damage to MMEC facilities or equipment caused by the user shall be charged to the user. The cost of the damage shall be assessed to the user via written memorandum from the Management.

7.  Should there be cancellation of a prior booking, the user must inform the Management at least  two days ahead. Failure to provide this advance notification will result in forfeiture of booking fees.
    
8.  Should there be queries, please see the Management in the McKeough Marine Center office or you may contact us at (088)-858-3116 local 3115.