This project attempts to use GIS in developing data and information related to seaweeds in the Philippines, which will be stored in one repository where intended beneficiaries, such as policy makers and seaweed farmers, can access it.

Significance

Seaweed farming is now becoming popular in the Philippines with an estimated area of over 2300 ha (BAS 2004) and latest production of 1,558,378 MT (BAS, 2013). However, very limited information of the culture practices, varieties of the farmed seaweeds and actual farmed areas are available. Thus a massive mapping of farmed areas in the Philippines is necessary with the use of Geographical Information System (GIS), a popular tool for mapping and resource management. GIS is a vital tool in this project for data gathering, benchmarking and data banking. This is to determine the extent of seaweed production in the Philippines and map out culture techniques and other relevant information in each seaweed farm (water quality, seaweed strain, practices, etc.), which can then be accessed by the farmers, partners and LGUs.

There are three GIS-mapping nodes established to cover large area of the Philippines in partnership with selected institutions in strategic locations, as follows:

Node 1: Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan   

Areas

Central-Northeastern Mindanao to Eastern Mindanao: Misamis Oriental, Agusan del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Dinagat Islands

Visayas: Bohol, Cebu, Negros, Antique, Siquijor, Samar, Leyte

Luzon: Bicol, Palawan, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Ilocos Norte, Batangas, Masbate, Albay, Catanduanes

Node 2: Mindanao State University (MSU)-Naawan

Areas

Central- Northwestern Mindanao to Western Mindanao: Misamis Occidental, Lanao  Norte, Lanao Sur, part of Zamboanga del Sur & Norte

Node 3: Southern Philippines Agri-Business and Marine and Aquatic School of Technology (SPAMAST)   

Areas

Southern Mindanao to Southwestern Mindanao: Davao del Sur/Norte, Davao Oriental, Sarangani province, Tawi-tawi, Sulu

Xavier University is the central hub and provides expertise in GIS while member institutions participate by providing information using uniform datasheets which includes the various different parameters. The project starts with a training workshop on GIS familiarization, and recommended protocols and formats for data gathering.

After the training, data collections are performed by participating agencies/Universities in their assigned area of responsibility. Data is submitted, using standard format, to Xavier University for processing. The three nodes supervise and provide travel funds to participating institutions within their area of responsibility for the ground-truthing and mapping of seaweed farms. These are being analyzed and integrated by the nodal centers before submission to the central hub at Xavier University.

DOST-funded projects on seaweeds are being collected, also literature and other information for review and integration. The Marine Science Institute of the University of the Philippines (UPMSI) collaborates to provide information on seed banking and the areas of propagations of their seed propagules/ varieties. Further, the Seaweed Industry Association of the Philippines (SIAP) and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) also as collaborators provide information regarding existing data production areas and their respective contact details, information on processing and list of partners/members that they would like to be included in the mapping.

Literacy Training Service

School-based Tutorial Learning Program

The students provide assistance to public elementary pupils who have difficulties in reading and arithmetic. The tutorial activities are conducted in the elementary schools.

Community-Based/Home-based Tutorial Learning Program

The students provide assistance to children in the communities who have difficulties in reading and arithmetic. Tutorial activities are conducted in barangay halls, covered courts, multi-purpose halls or at the houses of these children.

Civic Welfare Training Service

Barangay Data-basing

The students conduct household surveys and assist in the databasing in selected barangays. The data will be used by the barangays as basis for their interventions. The data-base technology will be transferred to the barangays.
 
Basic Marine Ecology

The students are trained to conduct Information Education Campaign (IEC) on marine conservation and preservation in public elementary schools.

Catechism

The students give assistance in the catechism of both Elementary pupils and High School students in coordination with the Lay Ministers of the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro. They are tasked to handle small group sharing and other supplemental group dynamic activities

Cultural Program

The students help promote the Filipino culture, values and tradition in the public schools. The students conduct series of workshops on visual arts with specific themes, theater workshops and body movements. They help conceptualize activities which promote Filipino culture and values.

Feeding Program

It aims at improving the children’s nutritional status to better participate in class. The project is focused on providing supplemental meals to identified undernourished children.

Green Campus Agenda (GCA)

The students conduct an office to office characterization in Xavier University wherein they make an audit of the waste generated by the offices. The students check if the offices followed the waste segregation policy of the university, makes a water audit by checking the number of comfort rooms, functional bowls/faucets and leaks in any pipes and lavatories in the university. They also develop information, education and campaign materials on waste management and proper waste disposal through the GCA.         

Information, Education, Campaign on Disaster Risk Reduction Management

The students conduct surveys/conversations with the residents of selected barangays on their disaster experience. They assist the communities in understanding disasters and hot to prepare for these.

Information, Education, Campaign on Solid Waste Management

The students assist the barangays in their campaign for proper waste segregation and the implementation of the 2001 Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of the Philippines Republic Act 9003.

Nursery Management

The students assist in Nursery Management, Seedling Production and Tree Growing at Manresa Farms. This is part of the National Greening Program of the Philippines.

Political Education

The students take an active role in making a statement on the importance of the active participation of the citizens in governance through exercising ones right to vote and choosing the right leaders.  The students will conduct voter’s education and conscientization.

School Gardening

The students assist in the establishment of Vegetable and Herbal Gardens in selected public elementary schools  

Scouting Program

The students are trained to become full-fledge rovers who facilitate workshops on scouting in various public elementary and high schools. This is in collaboration with the Ateneo Rover Circle of Xavier University which coordinates with the Girl Scouts/Boy Scouts of the Philippines coordinators Cagayan de Oro Council.

Social Entrepreneurship Program

The students assist the community members in identifying programs suitable in the community and in the management of their cooperatives, development of their products and marketing plan.
 
Sustainable Sanitation Assistance

After undergoing series of lectures and workshops the students will create/produce Information, Education Campaign materials on the importance of health and sanitation. They will conduct house-to-house campaign in barangay Lumbia, Cagayan de Oro. They will conduct Information      Education Campaign (IEC) on the proper use of Urine Diverting Dry Toilet (UDDT) bowls and assisted the Sustainable Sanitation Center in the monitoring and assessment of the Households with UDDT bowls.
 
Traffic Education and Enforcement

The students assist in educating pedestrians, drivers and passengers on the Cagayan de Oro traffic rules and regulations. They help promote good citizenship to pedestrians, drivers and passengers through compliance with the traffic rules and regulations.

Youth Savings

The students facilitate workshops on savings to community and school children to let them understand the basic concept of savings and in the process instill in them the value of savings. The students invite these children to join the Youth Savers Club program of the Oro Integrated Cooperative, Inc. (OIC).     

Values Education

The area work of the students is into categorized: Formal Teaching and Youth Organizing and Empowerment. The clients of this program are high school students who are encouraged to take active participation in their Values Education class.  Formal Teaching is integrated in the class activity and held inside the classroom and has a specific time-slot.  Youth Organizing and Empowerment is held outside the classroom for students with no classes.

Vegetable Gardening

The students help established vegetables gardens in the communities and encourage the people in the community to participate in its maintenance. The students also help facilitate workshops among the people in the community the importance of growing their own source of food. 

Reserve Officers’ Training Corps

Military Training

The students undergo military training, defense preparedness, basic life support and search and rescue operation under the Philippine Air Force of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

MMC Activity Center located in Solana, Jasaan, Misamis Oriental is open for reservations.

Includes: Function hall (open), small cottages, tree house, 3 double-deck bedrooms, and small conference room

For inquiries, call 858- 3116 local 3115 and look for Mr. Friday Atilano 

The Xavier University - Year of Service (XU-YOS) is a volunteer sending program that helps facilitate peace and social development in Mindanao.  The program is fully integrated in the University through the RSO Cluster, which will hopefully strengthen the venue for continuing Ignatian Leadership Formation of potential graduates. A direct opportunity for engaged campus leaders who will be willing to have year-long leadership engagement in the service of others and society, especially in the frontiers of social development.

Committed to train and form young professionals with competence, commitment and deep spirituality as peace builders and agent for social development. YOS commits to enhance the Ignatian Leadership Formation of the prospective graduates into young professionals with conscience that will strengthen their Faith as their basis of serving others especially the marginalized sectors; competence of a heroic leader and a commitment to build people in community development.

YOS is aimed to deploy volunteers to partner organizations such as Non-Government Organizations, Local Government Units, Dioceses, Social Action Centers and Parishes, to assist in their work of empowering those in the marginalized sectors.

XU-YOS Vision

Envisioned to develop a generation of engaged and committed professionals as Human Resource who shall bridge social divides and needs of the rural and urban communities in Mindanao