By John Rei Battad, Contributor

CURRIMAO, Ilocos Norte —Mariano Marcos State University planted coconut seedlings along the Currimao beachfront on July 24 in celebration of the upcoming birthday of Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Chairperson Shirley C. Agrupis, who also serves as Chair of the MMSU Board of Regents and is the university’s 7th President, on July 25.

The activity, held under MMSU’s Green Wall Program, was made possible through the support of the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) under the leadership of Dr. Dexter Buted, which donated 1,000 seedlings. It aimed to promote environmental sustainability and coastal resilience amid growing climate threats.

Participating in the event were MMSU President Virgilio Julius Manzano Jr., PCA Ilocos Norte Agriculturist and In-Charge Rose Ann Cabaloan, and officials and employees of the university.
CASAT OIC-Dean Pilar Carolyn Pascual highlighted the university’s commitment to protecting coastal ecosystems through the MMSU Green Wall project. "Even during ongoing weather threats, our shared dedication to nurturing our coastlines remains solid,” Pascual told the participants.

Cabaloan, meanwhile, expressed gratitude to MMSU for leading the initiative and encouraged continued support for the local coconut industry. "Let’s help one another to advance the coconut industry in Ilocos Norte and Region I,” she told participants in Filipino.

Launched in 2018 during Agrupis’ presidency at MMSU, the Green Wall project is one of MMSU’s initiatives to expand its partnerships, enhance community engagement, and promote climate action. The program also aims to transform the MMSU Currimao campus into a vibrant coastal learning destination that is both educational and recreational.