The Xavier University - McKeough Marine Center in partnership with JCI Macajalar 24k had their contract signing on 13 August 2024 for the collaborative initiative project which aims to empower local fisherfolks through diverse alternative livelihoods along the coasts of Macajalar Bay. On the same day, a second contract was signed between Simmons Consult International Incorporated and XU-MMC for the "Enhancing Environmental, Conservation, and Sustainable Management of Aquatic and Marine Resources" project.
Xavier University - MMC and Simmons Consult contract signing (left); Xavier University - MMC and
JCI Macajalar 24k contract signing (right)
The contract from JCI in partnership with MMC was formalized and signed by key stakeholders, including XU President Fr Mars Tan SJ, College of Arts and Sciences Dean Dr Judy P Sendaydiego, Director- McKeough Marine Center Dr Astrid L Sinco, JCI Macajalar 24k Executive President Maria Francesca Nicole B Cabanlet, and Executive Vice President Vahjna Mae B Flores. This partnership is set to introduce a series of initiatives designed to promote marine conservation while simultaneously providing sustainable economic alternatives for the local community. The contract signing also included initial planning for the possible projects that the partnership will be implementing in the future. Marine life conservation such as the strengthening of the existing mangrove nurseries and livelihood projects such as mariculture activities which include guso farming, lato farming, and shellfish culture are among the first discussed programs that the partnership will look forward to implementing. These proposals are one of the many possible programs that the partnership is looking at and will be one of the key reasons for conserving, preserving, and restoring marine ecosystems in designated areas of Macajalar bay.
On the same day, another contract signing was also done through the collaborative engagement between Simmons Consult and XU-MMC. The contract was also signed by Fr Tan, Dr Sendaydiego, Dr Sinco, Vice President of Social Development Engr Dexter S Lo, and Simmons Consult Managing Director Rodolfo Romorate II who already signed before the contract signing date. The project “Enhancing Environmental, Conservation and Sustainable Management of Aquatic and Marine Resources” with the help of XU-MMC and Simmons Consult, this cooperative project seeks to maximize conservation efforts in Northern Mindanao by offering workshops and capacity-building initiatives. In response to growing concerns about the health of our planet’s aquatic and marine ecosystems, there is an increasing global emphasis on enhancing environmental conservation and promoting sustainable management practices. As part of the project, stakeholders will share resources, such as facilities, materials, and expertise, to ensure the successful implementation of capacity-building programs. These resources will also be used to develop capacity-building programs aimed at improving stakeholders' skills and knowledge in environmental conservation and sustainable management of aquatic and marine resources.
As the contracts will take effect in the future, the eyes of the conservation community through the partnership of the following stakeholders will be focused for the conservation of marine life and for the livelihood of the community and to observe the positive impacts of this groundbreaking initiative. By aligning conservation goals with community needs, the partnership is poised to make a meaningful difference in the lives of local fisherfolk and the health of the marine environment they depend on.
Xavier University- MMC and JCI Macajalar 24k stakeholders contract signing
By: Louise Marie Carmel Solarte, MMC Technical Staff