Mariano Marcos
State University

ASEAN watershed workshop in Thailand spotlightsMMSU expertise in water security and environmental education

By Jareason Fabre

Three Mariano Marcos State University professors showcased Philippine research and environmental management strategies at an ASEAN-funded regional watershed workshop at the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) in Pathum Thani, Thailand, from October 5 to 7.

Dr. Charlie Batin, college dean; Dr. Janet Villamor, agriculture professor; and Prof. Charlie Maine Cacactin, forestry program chair, represented the MMSU College of Agriculture, Food, and Sustainable Development (CAFSD) as invited experts in the three-day gathering, titled “GIS and Other Methods for Assessing Anthropogenic Load on Water Bodies as Mechanisms for Planning the Economic Development of Watersheds.” Organized under two regional ASEAN initiatives, the workshop brought together delegates across Southeast Asia to advance interactive Geographic Information System (GIS) tools and improve conservation strategies for freshwater bodies facing human and economic pressures.

During the technical sessions, the MMSU delegates delivered presentations focused on watershed protection and sustainability education. Dean Batin, a forester by profession, presented “Addressing Water Challenges in Remote Areas of the Philippines: The Role of Reforestation in Reducing Anthropogenic Pressure on Water Resources,” examining tree planting as a key strategy to protect rural water supplies from human activity.

In another session, Dr. Villamor and Forester Cacactin co-presented “New Approaches to Student Education: The Involvement of Students in Greening Practices,” which covered practical frameworks for embedding eco-friendly activities directly into student education. This featured MMSU students involvement in greening practices of the university. 

The event featured technical exchanges, expert lectures, and project consultations designed to strengthen GIS-based environmental planning across member nations. Through their contributions, the MMSU experts helped enhance regional technical collaboration, supporting long-term watershed management and sustainable freshwater use throughout ASEAN.

📸 𝘋𝘳. 𝘊𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘭𝘪𝘦 𝘉𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘯

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