TIDES OF TRANSFORMATIVE EDUCATION
Image source: Br. Alfred Shields FSC Ocean Research Center
SDG 14 (LIFE BELOW WATER) REPORT
Academic Year 2023-2024
Anchored in the Lasallian values of faith, service, and communion, De La Salle University (DLSU) understands the importance of integrating ecological responsibility into its curricula. In a country characterized by coastal communities and marine resources, the University mission to cultivate socially conscious leaders who recognize the interdependence of humans and the environment is reflected in various efforts to preserve marine life.
At the forefront of these conservation efforts is the Br. Alfred Shields FSC Ocean Research (SHORE) Center, a facility that integrates research, training, and community engagement in marine biology and coastal sustainability. Located in Lian, Batangas, the SHORE Center enables students and faculty the chance to conduct direct research on coral reefs, mangroves, and related ecosystems. The Center further promotes coastal awareness and supports evidence-based policy for marine protection through multi-stakeholder research and education programs.
In November 2023, DLSU Sustainability Hub – Laguna and the Lasallian Institute for the Environment (LIFE) conducted a basic river management and appreciation series for local government representatives. They were also joined by DLSU Laguna Campus employees. Sessions were facilitated by freshwater morphology experts Ms. Pamela Tolentino and Dr. Justine Domingo through the DLSU School of Innovation and Sustainability (SIS). The resource persons discussed the fundamentals of river systems, watersheds, and water quality monitoring. Collaborative exercises were also conducted to begin developing cross-sectoral action for the sustainable management of the Tibagan River that borders the DLSU Laguna Campus.
That same month, many DLSU personnel participated in a cross-sectoral mangrove planting and coastal education program organized through the Center for Social Concern and Action (COSCA). The initiative successfully addressed environmental and social disparities through mangrove forest rehabilitation and promotion to local volunteers, students, and staff. With a focus on coastal resilience and biodiversity protection, this activity underlined that environmental service forms an integral part of Lasallian formation. Continuing this commitment, DLSU organized another large-scale mangrove planting activity in July 2024 in Lian, Batangas. 30 personnel joined the local partners in the reforestation of mangrove areas and attended sessions on the role of mangroves in marine ecosystems. The program, facilitated by COSCA, emphasized experiential learning and collective stewardship that allowed participants to connect theory with tangible environmental outcomes.
Additionally, the SHORE Center has led many community-based projects that link local action and scientific research over the years. Since 2008, its Training and Community Engagement Program has provided Lasallian and partner communities with the necessary resources to monitor coral reef health, conduct coastal clean-ups, and develop restoration initiatives. In 2024, these best practices were synthesized and published in a free resource entitled Alwan: Reef Monitoring with Citizen Science Methods Trainer’s Manual. Through these and many more partnerships, DLSU marine science is not restricted to laboratories; rather, it is transformed into meaningful public engagement that benefits both people and ecosystems.
Beyond field activities, the outreach units of DLSU continue to empower through capacity-building programs. For instance, in June 2024 COSCA hosted a visioning workshop and facilitated planning for sustainable fishing practices, environmental conservation efforts, and community-based livelihood projects. People’s organizations Samahan ng Mandaragat sa Sulok and SAGIP Kabarangay at Mandaragat were the partner-beneficiaries. This pioneer activity underlined the interconnection between ecological sustainability and socioeconomic empowerment— a core feature of DLSU’s holistic approach to community development.
These interwoven initiatives— research via SHORE, mangrove rehabilitation, and community training— are how DLSU translates the Lasallian mission into tangible environmental stewardship. With this integration of academic research into hands-on ecological service, the University affirms that sustainability education goes much farther than within the classroom.
Through these programs, DLSU continues to foster environmental leadership within its student and staff ranks, strengthening relations with local communities in the process. Its work reminds us that life below water is an issue of scientific inquiry no less than it is a call to moral and social responsibility inscribed within the Lasallian spirit of “faith in action.”
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Edited by Gabrielle Ongkiko
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