With a powerful shout of "Let us be guardians of the coast" across the shoreline, students from Southern Leyte State University - Maasin City Campus (SLSU-MCC) successfully completed a massive mangrove planting drive at Molopolo, Macrohon, Southern Leyte, on Wednesday, January 21, 2026. 

From 5:00 AM to 9:00 AM, a dedicated coalition of student leaders braved the mud to plant exactly 138 mangrove seeds. This environmental initiative was led by the Supreme Student Council (SSC), proposed by Miss Catherine Mantilla, SSC Communication Officer, and headed by their Adviser, Miss Trishia Mae Llagas, and SSC President, Hon. Ryan Christopher Escaner, who together mobilized a large group of volunteers from the campus' different organizations, to protect the province’s coastal defense and marine biodiversity. 

‎ Supported by the local government unit of Maasin City, the participants from the campus' academic and non-academic organizations such as the Circle of Public Administration Students (CPAS), Junior Social Workers' Association of the Philippines (JSWAP), The Pulse Publication, Appointed Representatives of MCC Youth (ARMY), Edeo, and Peer Facilitators, including Presidents and Vice Presidents from all year levels, aimed to leave a lasting contribution to the province’s coastal defense.

‎ The activity started where the Maasin City Government's vehicle brought the student volunteers to the planting site early in the morning. At the site, the local government unit of Macrohon then welcomed the participants warmly, lead and facilitated by Engr. Luzminda B. Kinazo, MENRO HEAD, and Miss Ma. Crisbe M. Navarro, RCC 1/CRM Designate. 

‎ Mr. Leonardo M. Monter Jr., Admin Aide 1 and Marine Park Manager, took the lead by providing a comprehensive orientation, teaching the students the technical side of coastal conservation, from the preparation of the seeds to the precise methods of planting in the intertidal zone. He remained side-by-side with the volunteers, patiently answering questions and sharing his deep knowledge about the mangrove ecosystem.

‎ He also specifically mentioned how important it is to follow strict protocols and guidelines that will help in the development and success of the activity. According to Mr. Monter, "We must not continue to follow on things that we know are wrong. This is something we should stop on doing and we should change, so that we will be able to properly and successfully fulfill our goal for the activity". He then added the importance of preparing the needs of the activity beforehand such as the bamboo sticks, the straws, and the plants itself. 

‎ Mr. Monter then added that the mangrove seeds that was chosen to plant was known as the Rhizophora, with a common name known as "Red Mangroves", and locally known in the Philippines as Bakauan. These were the type of mangroves that are not front liners, but rather are the supporting ones planted behind the mother tree like the Avicennia Marina. His hands-on guidance transformed the event into a valuable learning experience, leaving curious students with a newfound respect for the environment.

‎ The success of the initiative was bolstered by the strong support of the LGU of Macrohon. Local officials and staff welcomed the SLSU-MCC delegation, providing essential logistical support and safety guidance throughout the four-hour activity. This collaboration between the academe and the local government ensured that the students were well-accommodated, and that the planting was done in areas where the mangroves would hopefully have the best chance of survival. The LGU’s active involvement highlighted the importance of community partnership in tackling environmental challenges.

‎ As the clock struck 9:00 AM, the muddy but smiling participants looked back at the rows of newly planted seeds with a sense of accomplishment. By contributing over a hundred mangroves, the students took a tangible step toward protecting the society they serve. The event concluded with a renewed sense of purpose, as the student leaders and volunteers carried home not just dirty feet, but the important realization that the future of the coastline rests in their hands as the next generation of environmental stewards, reminding us to be guardians of the coast. 

(via Sophia Marie Calatrava | Pulse)