By Jhoanna Faye Jacinto, STRATCOM Correspondent

In celebration of World Environment Day on June 5, 2025, Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) planted 250 mangrove propagules along the coastal area of Brgy. Maglaoi, Currimao, Ilocos Norte.

The activity aimed to restore degraded shorelines, enhance climate resilience, and promote sustainable coastal resource management, aligning with the university’s commitment to ecological stewardship and active community engagement.

Spearheaded by the MMSU Sustainability and Futures Thinking (SFT) Office in partnership with the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Currimao, the initiative brought together MMSU faculty, education support personnel, students, local stakeholders, and community members. Leading the effort was Dr. Mee Jay Domingo, MMSU Vice President for Planning and Strategic Foresight. 

Also in attendance were representatives from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), barangay officials, and members of local fisherfolk organizations.

Dr. Arlene Gonzales, SFT director, described the initiative as a step to address the impacts of climate change on coastal communities. 

“We chose to enhance mangrove ecosystems, which serve as natural filters that intercept plastic waste from land before it reaches the open sea, helping minimize its impact on marine life,” Dr. Gonzales explained.

Mangroves play an essential role in absorbing carbon, protecting shorelines from erosion, and providing habitats for a wide range of marine species. By strengthening the mangrove buffer zones in Currimao, the initiative aims to reduce the impacts of climate change and tackle land-based marine pollution, particularly plastic waste, through nature-based approaches.