OPEN FORUM. Photo taken during the panel discussion and open forum of the Metropolization Summit. Supplied Photo.
Report by Zaira Dehing
Xavier University - Ateneo de Cagayan Social Development (SD) Cluster celebrated this year’s SD Week 2020 from January 20 to 24, with the theme “Urban Development: Social and Environmental Challenges and Opportunities.”
The week-long celebration kicked off with the Tabuan and Food Festival at the Science Center grounds. The tabuan trading showcased the fresh fruits and vegetables by the farmers from Barangay Langaon, Bukidnon and the Manresa Farm.
In the evening, an Opening Mass was held at the university church, presided by Fr Roberto “Bobby” C Yap SJ and Fr Mars Tan SJ. It was attended by the SD Cluster family: vice-president, admin, directors, program officers, SD volunteers, staff, SD coordinators, and students.
On the second day, the Forum on Metropolization: Social and Environmental Challenges and Opportunities was held at the XU Little Theater (XULT). The local government unit, organizations, and students were invited to the forum.
Dr Divina Luz Lopez, a professional lecturer from the Political Science Department of De La Salle University, gave the keynote speech, highlighting the onset of Cagayan de Oro City’s transformation from a common city into a metropolized city.
In one of the speeches, Yap said, “Metropolization is important because we need to network resources, human technology and economic resources for economic growth.”
The emerging development of the city entails more roads, buildings, infrastructures, and the influx of people coming in and out.
CDO Mayor Oscar Moreno told the crowd that working together is one of the requirements to achieve a metropolized city.
“Metropolization must come from the heart and the willingness and the determination to work together, the ‘bayanihan’ is the keyword for metropolization,” Moreno said.
SL EXPERIENCE. Levi Pecision, a BS Agriculture student major in Crop Science, shares his case study on “The Establishment of Vermicomposting Project and its Profitability in Sitio Caban-Caban, Barangay Tablon, CDO City.” Supplied Photo.
Students and representatives from various schools and government agencies gathered together on the third day of the SD Week Celebration for the “Service Learning Summit 2020: Engaging Xavier Ateneo to the frontiers of Building Resilient Communities,” still at the XULT.
SLP director Engr Gail de la Rita shared the summit rationale and the objective of the program. XU students also presented various SL engagements to the participants of the summit.
The event served as a good avenue to learn about service learning engagement and to share their insights into the program.
PACKED EVENT. Representatives from the local government and members of the Xavier Ateneo community attend the Social Development Summit. Supplied photo.
On the fourth day, the regional launch of the “World Bank Philippines: Economic Update 2019” was held, including a stakeholders’ roundtable discussion at the XU American Corner Library.
The SD Week 2020 culminated with Urban Greening Project: Urban and Mangrove Planting and SD Cluster Deepening Session.
The Urban Greening was an institutional project of XU that seeks to involve all its units in partnership with various groups and agencies from key sectors toward a cleaner and greener Mindanao, by planting trees in the urban and coastal areas.
Participants were gathered at Kiosko Kagawasan as early as 5:30AM to prepare for a short program.
VP for social development Roel R Ravanera and Engr Armen Cuenca from the City Local Government Office delivered their respective messages and explained the implications of the said activity.
After the program, simultaneous urban and mangrove planting transpired in Barangay Tablon and Bonbon, respectively.
GREEN TEAM. The XU urban planting team went straight ahead to Barangay Tablon’s hall for a short talk with the barangay officials. Supplied photo.
The SD Cluster deepening session provided the avenue for the people behind every event to assess and appreciate their hard work and output. Positive feedback and gratitude poured out as Tan facilitated the said sharing.
The whole SD family expressed its gratitude to the people who helped and participated in the week-long celebration. They also thanked their sponsors who shared their resources and the volunteers who devoted their time and effort in covering the events.∎
DEEP BOND. SD Cluster members strike a wacky pose after the deepening session with Fr Mars Tan SJ. Supplied photo.