Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) advances the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14: Life Below Water by driving knowledge production through Scopus-indexed research on freshwater ecosystems, water quality monitoring, and aquatic biodiversity. Anchored in this academic foundation and guided by institutional environmental management programs, PUP translates research into practice through strict wastewater monitoring, rigorous effluent control, community-based coastal stewardship, and aquatic ecosystem health assessments. The University further extends these conservation practices beyond campus by deploying community-based programs such as Baybay Salabay, engaging in regional river and coastal cleanups, and collaborating with local government units and Indigenous communities to advance sustainable freshwater and marine resource management.
Protecting aquatic ecosystems and reducing water pollution are important to SDG 14: Life Below Water, particularly through water quality, aquatic ecosystem health, pollution prevention, and conservation. Research on Laguna Lake examines water quality and fish populations, while algae-collection technology demonstrates potential for water quality monitoring and aquatic ecosystem management.
Wastewater treatment research further supports pollution reduction and responsible water management, helping address land-based pollutants that can affect marine and coastal environments.
These studies contribute to aquatic ecosystem conservation, water quality protection, pollution prevention, and sustainable management of aquatic resources, supporting the objectives of SDG 14: Life Below Water.
Protecting aquatic ecosystems and improving water quality support SDG 14: Life Below Water, particularly through marine and coastal conservation, pollution prevention, aquatic ecosystem health, and sustainable water management. Research on solar-powered algae collection demonstrates the potential of water quality monitoring for aquatic and coastal environments, while wastewater treatment research addresses land-based pollution that can reach marine ecosystems.
These areas promote aquatic ecosystem protection, pollution reduction, water quality monitoring, and conservation of aquatic resources, contributing to the objectives of SDG 14: Life Below Water.
Protecting aquatic ecosystems and maintaining water quality contribute to SDG 14: Life Below Water, particularly through aquatic ecosystem health, water quality monitoring, pollution prevention, and sustainable management of aquatic resources. Research examining water hyacinth and fish populations in Laguna Lake highlights the importance of freshwater ecosystem health and its connection to coastal water quality.
This focus supports aquatic ecosystem conservation, water quality protection, pollution reduction, and sustainable aquatic resource management, contributing to the objectives of SDG 14: Life Below Water.
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The Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) supports the conservation and sustainable management of freshwater, coastal, and marine ecosystems through research-informed education, community outreach, experiential learning, and partnerships with local government units and community stakeholders. These initiatives translate scientific knowledge into accessible educational resources and practical conservation activities for students, government practitioners, Indigenous Peoples, coastal residents, and local communities.
Driven by a comprehensive and systematic five-stage strategy, the university actively transforms empirical aquatic research into measurable, real-world environmental impact. The institution's holistic framework begins with rigorous foundational studies that establish critical ecological baselines, which are then effectively bridged to local communities and governing sectors through targeted knowledge translation. By converting complex scientific insights into accessible formats, the university strengthens local understanding and operational capacity. Furthermore, these insights are seamlessly integrated into the academic curriculum to foster enduring institutional and community capacity building. Ultimately, this cohesive continuum culminates in direct, hands-on interventions and community-led preservation initiatives dedicated to safeguarding vulnerable coastal and aquatic ecosystems for future generations.
In 2024, PUP, through the Research Institute for Science and Technology, partnered with the Local Government Unit of General Nakar, Quezon, to assess the phytoplankton community structure of Tinipak River in Barangay Pagsangahan. Phytoplankton were used as biological indicators of water quality, aquatic biodiversity, and freshwater ecosystem condition. The research findings were converted into a poster-format research brief, an infographic on Tinipak River phytoplankton biodiversity and water quality, and a community educational presentation.
On 17 September 2024, these materials were shared with approximately 30 Dumagat-Remontado families at the Tinipak Camping Grounds, strengthening community understanding of freshwater biodiversity, water-quality monitoring, ecosystem health, and aquatic ecosystem conservation. On 18 September 2024, PUP presented the study’s findings and their conservation and management implications to officials from the Office of the Municipal Mayor, Municipal Administration, Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office, Municipal Health Office, Municipal Tourism Office, and Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office.
The information was subsequently cascaded by the MENRO to Sangguniang Bayan members, barangay captains, and Dumagat-Remontado tribal chieftains and elders. This research-to-outreach pathway strengthened the capacity of local communities and government practitioners to understand scientific information and apply it to river monitoring, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable freshwater-resource management.
PUP also advanced sustainable fisheries education through community-based coastal outreach. On 4 July 2024, PUP collaborated with Barangay Poblacion officials in a coastal activity involving NSTP/CWTS students, faculty and staff, local residents, and community volunteers. Participants collected, sorted, and segregated coastal waste while learning how land-based pollution affects water quality, fish habitats, marine biodiversity, fisheries productivity, and coastal livelihoods.
On 21 September 2024, PUP joined the Municipality of Mariveles and other stakeholders in the “Clean Seas for Blue Economy” International Coastal Cleanup. The activity combined practical waste management with education on marine-litter prevention, habitat protection, responsible use of aquatic resources, sustainable fisheries, coastal stewardship, and the blue economy.
Through these complementary initiatives, PUP connects freshwater research, science communication, local-government capacity building, community participation, and hands-on coastal conservation. The activities strengthen environmental literacy and demonstrate how healthy rivers, wetlands, coastal habitats, and fishing grounds support biodiversity, food security, livelihoods, and community resilience. PUP’s approach provides direct educational support for communities and practitioners involved in maintaining and sustainably managing aquatic ecosystems.
Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) as a body offers educational programs on freshwater ecosystems, water management, and conservation for local or national communities. These programs are driven by five interconnected pillars—freshwater research, curriculum-based learning, science communication, citizen participation, and hands-on conservation. These foundational approaches support core environmental objectives, including building capacity for plankton ecology, aquatic biodiversity assessment, bioindicator-based water-quality monitoring, ecosystem health evaluation, wetland and coastal conservation, and sustainable aquatic resource management. Together, these elements illustrate a holistic strategy that bridges scientific study, educational integration, and active community engagement to protect and preserve water resources.
The university’s educational programs on freshwater ecosystems follow a structured, four-step progressive framework that transforms scientific inquiry into tangible environmental stewardship. The process begins with Research, where empirical studies establish vital baselines for water quality and ecosystem health. This is followed by Education, which translates complex findings into accessible knowledge-sharing resources, including infographics, poster-format briefs, and community-based educational presentations. Next, the framework moves to Community and LGU Action, actively engaging local residents, indigenous families, and municipal officials through outreach programs, governance cascades, and stakeholder briefings. Finally, the process culminates in Aquatic Ecosystem Stewardship, ensuring sustained education, international knowledge sharing at forums like the Asia Pacific Phycological Forum, and hands-on conservation efforts such as wetland preservation and coastal cleanups
Through the Research Institute for Science and Technology (RIST), provides research-informed education and knowledge sharing on freshwater ecosystems, aquatic biodiversity, and sustainable aquatic resource management for community and government stakeholders. In partnership with the Local Government Unit (LGU) of General Nakar, Quezon, PUP assessed the phytoplankton community structure of Tinipak River in Barangay Pagsangahan, using phytoplankton as biological indicators of water quality, ecosystem health, and freshwater ecosystem condition.
The research findings were translated into educational and knowledge-sharing resources, including a poster-format research brief, Phytoplankton Community Structure in Tinipak River, General Nakar, Philippines; an infographic, Tinipak River Phytoplankton Biodiversity and Water Quality; and a community-based educational presentation. These resources were shared with approximately 30 Dumagat-Remontado families at the Tinipak Camping Grounds, strengthening community understanding of freshwater biodiversity, phytoplankton ecology, water-quality monitoring, ecosystem health, and aquatic ecosystem conservation.
The study's significant findings and conservation and policy implications were also presented to:
This knowledge-sharing process strengthened local capacity to understand and apply scientific information for river ecosystem monitoring, aquatic biodiversity conservation, and sustainable freshwater ecosystem management, particularly in the context of tourism and infrastructure pressures.
PUP sustains this effort through a multi-year portfolio of aquatic ecosystem education that connects research, curriculum-based learning, science communication, experiential learning, and community engagement. During Philippine Water Week, March 15–22, 2026, PUP promoted water conservation, responsible water use, water-resource protection, sustainable water management, sanitation, rainwater harvesting, and water recycling across its campuses and units. The Kalingang Latian initiative further extended aquatic ecosystem education through guided ecological activities, wetland conservation, and coastal cleanups involving students, partner organizations, and communities. Activities were conducted in Barangay Labac, Naic, Cavite, on November 21, 2025, and at the Las Piñas–Parañaque Wetland Park (LLPPWP) on February 14, 2026, providing experiential learning on wetland biodiversity, coastal ecosystems, aquatic pollution, ecosystem health, and conservation.
These initiatives form an integrated approach to aquatic ecosystem education, combining freshwater research, curriculum-based field learning, science communication, community participation, and hands-on conservation. Through the BS Biology and MS Biology programs, students develop competencies in plankton ecology, aquatic biodiversity assessment, bioindicator-based water-quality monitoring, ecosystem health, and sustainable aquatic resource management. The Community Education through Science Communication (CESC) Program, particularly its Baybay Salabay subproject, translates research on jellyfish, cone snails, and coastal biodiversity into multilingual educational materials and public science communication activities. Philippine Water Week promotes water conservation, responsible water use, water-resource protection, and sustainable water management, while Kalingang Latian connects ecological learning with wetland and coastal conservation, biodiversity protection, and community stewardship. Collectively, these initiatives strengthen environmental literacy and practical capacity among students, government stakeholders, and local communities to understand, conserve, and sustainably manage freshwater, wetland, and coastal ecosystems, directly supporting Educational Programs on Aquatic Ecosystems.
To learn more about the CESC Program, you may view the CESC Program Overview Video and read the CESC Establishment Documentation.
The Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) offers educational programs and outreach for local and national communities on the sustainable management of fisheries and aquatic ecosystems through community-based coastal cleanups, experiential learning, and stakeholder collaborations. These initiatives actively engage students, faculty, and local residents to promote responsible waste management, marine conservation, and sustainable fishing practices.
On July 4, 2024, PUP collaborated with Barangay Poblacion officials in a coastal cleanup and participated by PUP NSTP/CWTS students, faculty and staff, local residents, and community volunteers. Participants collected, sorted, and segregated solid waste while learning how land-based waste affects water quality, fish habitat, coastal ecosystems, fisheries productivity, and aquatic resources. On September 21, 2024, PUP joined the Municipality of Mariveles and other stakeholders in the “Clean Seas for Blue Economy,” an International Coastal Cleanup. Faculty-guided students and community participation reinforced practical understanding of marine litter, responsible waste management, marine conservation, coastal resources, fisheries, aquaculture, and the blue economy. Together, these publicly documented initiatives demonstrate outreach to local communities on the sustainable management of fisheries and aquatic ecosystems. PUP sustained this commitment on April 30, 2026, when PUP participated in a World Tuna Day coastal cleanup with the theme “Advocating for Tuna Conservation, Focusing on Suitable Fishing, Protecting Ocean Health and Ensuring Food Security,” along the Sabang River and the coastal area of Sitio Tabuk, Buenavista, Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro. The event connected tuna conservation, sustainable fishing, water quality, food security, and shared responsibility for marine resources. The 2026 activity is presented as evidence of continuing institutional support, while the two 2024 activities serve as the primary reporting-period evidence.
The Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) offers educational outreach activities for local and national communities to raise awareness about coastal livelihoods, food security, overfishing, illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, and destructive fishing practices through coastal stewardship initiatives and community stakeholder collaborations.
PUP progresses community outreach through a four-step framework aimed at achieving marine and aquatic sustainability. The process begins by removing marine litter to clean and clear polluted waters, which then leads to protecting vital fish habitats such as mangroves and coral reefs. Following habitat protection, the framework emphasizes promoting responsible fishing practices to prevent overfishing and ecosystem degradation. Finally, these collective efforts culminate in sustaining food security, local livelihoods, and a thriving blue economy.
In 2024, the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP), used community-based coastal action as an outreach platform for promoting the protection of fish habitats and the responsible use of marine resources. Two coastal activities brought together students, faculty and staff, local government representatives, residents, and community volunteers in settings directly connected to municipal fisheries and coastal livelihoods.
On 4 July 2024, PUP conducted a coastal cleanup with Barangay Poblacion officials through the National Service Training Program / Civic Welfare Training Service. Participants collected, sorted, and segregated solid waste from the coastal area. Faculty and staff facilitation connected improper waste disposal and coastal pollution with degraded water quality, damaged fish habitats, reduced marine biodiversity, and pressures on fisheries resources. The activity encouraged students and community participants to recognise that healthy fishing grounds depend on habitat protection, responsible resource use, and community participation in marine conservation.
On 21 September 2024, PUP joined the “Clean Seas for Blue Economy” International Coastal Cleanup in Mariveles, Bataan. PUP students took part in the collection and segregation of coastal waste while faculty members guided the activity and reinforced the importance of protecting coastal resources. The outreach connected marine litter and coastal pollution with harm to fish habitats, fisheries productivity, and the long-term resilience of marine ecosystems. It also provided a setting for discussing responsible fishing and the need to prevent practices that place additional pressure on fish populations and fishing grounds.
The Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) supports and organizes events aimed at promoting the conservation and sustainable utilization of oceans, seas, lakes, rivers, and marine resources. This is achieved through community engagement initiatives—such as coastal cleanups and experiential learning activities—by strengthening faculty, student, and community networks via three complementary programs in 2024 that advanced marine resource preservation. Collectively, Baybay Salabay, the Community-Based Coastal Cleanup in Barangay Poblacion, Mariveles, Bataan, and the International Coastal Cleanup in Mariveles, Bataan established an integrated engagement pathway connecting science communication, citizen participation, environmental education, experiential learning, community-based knowledge generation, pollution prevention, coastal stewardship, and sustainable marine-resource management. These initiatives fostered greater public awareness, strengthened community participation, and promoted shared responsibility for the protection and long-term sustainability of marine and coastal ecosystems.
The Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP), through the Research Institute for Science and Technology (RIST) and its Community Education through Science Communication (CESC) Program, launched Baybay Salabay on January 15, 2024. The initiative is an educational website hosted on Facebook that connects marine and coastal science, citizen participation, public safety, and community-based knowledge generation, contributing to greater awareness of aquatic ecosystems and marine biodiversity.
Baybay Salabay was developed through extensive conceptualization, design, and deliberation by a multidisciplinary research team composed of faculty researchers in biology, communication, social science, and education, together with research assistants. This collaborative foundation enabled the platform to communicate scientific information in an accessible form while maintaining a research-informed approach to public engagement, marine conservation, and coastal ecosystem awareness.
The platform provides free public access to science-based information on box jellyfish, cone snails, marine biodiversity, species diversity, species identification, species occurrence, and related sting incidents. It connects its 767 followers nationwide, particularly communities in Southern Luzon and other areas where sting incidents are more frequently reported during the summer season, with information that supports marine environmental awareness, aquatic ecosystem conservation, and safer interaction with aquatic environments. The platform also invites community members to contribute observations and information through citizen science.
Community-generated submissions are reviewed and validated by the research team before being incorporated into the database. Validated observations contribute to the continuing development of scientific knowledge on jellyfish and cone-snail diversity, marine biodiversity, species occurrence, and sting-related incidents. They also support the regular updating of information, education, and communication (IEC) materials in digital and print formats. In this way, Baybay Salabay establishes a feedback loop linking citizen observations, scientific validation, public education, marine biodiversity knowledge, and research-informed decision-making.
As a continuing marine-environment outreach and science communication initiative, Baybay Salabay supports life below water by promoting ocean conservation, marine biodiversity protection, and the sustainable use of marine and coastal resources. Through its citizen-science approach, the initiative engages communities in sharing and validating information on aquatic biodiversity, species occurrence, and marine safety, while its educational materials strengthen public understanding of marine and coastal ecosystems. By connecting scientific knowledge with community participation, Baybay Salabay contributes to greater awareness, stewardship, and collective action for the conservation and sustainability of oceans and aquatic ecosystems.
As part of its commitment in advancing SDG 14, the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) through its Bataan Campus conducted a community-based coastal cleanup in partnership with Brgy. Poblacion officials in Mariveles, Bataan, on July 4, 2024. The activity combined coastal stewardship, environmental education, and community engagement, enabling students, residents, and local partners to address marine litter and understand how coastal pollution affects water quality, fish habitats, marine biodiversity, and fisheries resources.
PUP NSTP/CWTS students, together with local residents and community volunteers, actively collected, sorted, and segregated solid waste from the coastal area, while all PUP faculty members and staff facilitated the activity and provided guidance on waste segregation and pollution prevention. The activity highlighted the links between land-based pollution, marine litter, aquatic ecosystems, fish habitats, and fisheries productivity.
The outreach also promoted awareness of pressures affecting fisheries sustainability, including overfishing, unregulated fishing, and destructive fishing practices, and emphasized the importance of protecting productive coastal habitats and marine biodiversity. Through student experiential learning, community outreach, and faculty-guided environmental education, PUP strengthened collective responsibility for marine conservation, sustainable fisheries, responsible use of aquatic resources, and healthy marine ecosystems.
The initiative supports the University’s commitment towards advancing SDG 14 by using community-based outreach to increase awareness of marine biodiversity, fisheries sustainability, marine pollution, coastal ecosystem conservation, and responsible fishing practices, contributing to the long-term conservation and sustainable use of oceans and marine resources.
The Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) through its Bataan Campus participated in the International Coastal Cleanup in Mariveles, Bataan, on September 21, 2024, under the theme “Clean Seas for Blue Economy.” The initiative supported PUP’s continuing commitment to marine ecosystem conservation, sustainable management of coastal and marine resources, and marine pollution prevention through community-based environmental outreach and collective action.
Through the cleanup, PUP faculty, students, and staff helped address marine litter, plastic pollution, and other forms of land-based pollution that can degrade coastal habitats, affect water quality, and threaten aquatic biodiversity and fisheries resources. The activity emphasized the importance of maintaining healthy coastal ecosystems that provide essential feeding, breeding, and nursery habitats for fish and other marine organisms.
The initiative also strengthened awareness of the links among marine pollution, fisheries productivity, coastal tourism, aquaculture, marine biodiversity, and the blue economy. Participants were encouraged to adopt responsible practices that reduce waste entering coastal waters and to recognize the shared responsibility of institutions and communities in protecting marine resources and coastal ecosystems.
By combining environmental education, community engagement, marine conservation, and practical coastal action, this raises the awareness of the impacts of marine pollution and habitat degradation on fisheries sustainability, aquatic biodiversity, and healthy marine ecosystems.
Collectively, these initiatives demonstrate PUP's sustained approach to marine conservation and community engagement, linking scientific knowledge, citizen participation, environmental education, pollution prevention, and direct coastal action. The activities supported greater public awareness and stewardship of marine ecosystems while promoting responsible practices that contribute to the long-term health, biodiversity, productivity, and sustainable use of coastal and marine resources.
On March 21, 2026, the Polytechnic University of the Philippines and National Service Training Program (NSTP) Office, alongside PUP Sandiwa and dedicated student volunteers, successfully participated in the "Aksyon Linis para sa Ilog Pasig" clean-up drive. Spearheaded by the organization Ilog Pasiglahin to commemorate World Water Day and the International Day of Action for Rivers (IDAR), the environmental initiative was conducted in close collaboration with the Philippine Coast Guard – Pureza CGSS and the DENR PRCMO. Gathering at the Pureza Coast Guard Substation near the PUP Ferry Station, the volunteers engaged in hands-on waste removal from the waterways, demonstrating a strong collective commitment to environmental stewardship and civic responsibility. This proactive community effort deeply reflects the NSTP's mission to mold responsible citizens and directly advances several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, specifically SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 14 (Life Below Water), SDG 15 (Life on Land), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).
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On September 20, 2025, in celebration of International Coastal Cleanup Day, the PUP NSTP Office partnered with Ilog Pasiglahin and PUP Sandiwa to hold a Coastal Clean-Up Drive along the Pasig River–Linear Park at the PUP Sta. Mesa campus. While addressing climate resilience, the drive operationalized SDG 12 through strict source segregation—sorting collected river debris and marine litter into distinct biodegradable, recyclable, residual, and hazardous streams. Rather than treating collected waste as refuse bound for disposal, recyclable plastics, glass, paper, and metal were routed to local junk shops and Materials Recovery Facilities (MRFs) for recycling and upcycling, while organic matter was directed toward composting. This closed-loop handling transformed a community cleanup into responsible solid waste management, advancing waste prevention, resource efficiency, and material recovery along the urban waterway.
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The Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) works directly through research and engagement with local communities and government units to maintain and extend existing ecosystems and their biodiversity, especially ecosystems under threat, as demonstrated by the RIST Tinipak River Aquatic Biodiversity Assessment and its institutionalized agreements with the General Nakar LGU.
Through the University's Research Institute for Science and Technology's (RIST) Tinipak River Aquatic Biodiversity Assessment, the Polytechnic University of the Philippines initiates a biodiversity assessment of the Tinipak River in General Nakar, Quezon Province, generating baseline data on freshwater biodiversity and ecosystem health. Integrating undergraduate biology research, the initiative examined phytoplankton communities and water-quality indicators across upstream, midstream, and downstream sites, identifying environmental pressures linked to tourism. Findings were communicated to 30 Dumagat-Remontado families and municipal officials to raise awareness and guide local conservation. This direct engagement culminated in the renewal of a Memorandum of Agreement with the General Nakar LGU on February 5, 2026, institutionalizing long-term aquatic biodiversity monitoring, riparian conservation, and sustainable resource management.
As part of the RIST-led research initiative, undergraduate Biology researchers served as contributors and developed related studies as their undergraduate theses. Their participation supported field-based biodiversity research and monitoring, including the assessment of phytoplankton communities and water-quality indicators to document species diversity, community composition, occurrence, and ecological characteristics of the river.
RIST research team conducting plankton sampling and measuring water-quality parameters at selected Tinipak River sites to monitor aquatic biodiversity and ecosystem condition.
The Tinipak River supports a diverse phytoplankton community, with 76 species representing seven major taxonomic groups documented across upstream, midstream, and downstream sampling sites during the June 2022 sampling period. However, the presence and dominance of eutrophication-tolerant and indicator species, including Oscillatoria sp., Stigeoclonium sp., and Lyngbya majuscula, suggest nutrient enrichment and environmental pressure affecting water quality. Variations in dissolved oxygen, temperature, pH, turbidity, and conductivity were associated with changes in phytoplankton composition, demonstrating the value of biological indicators for water-quality assessment and aquatic ecosystem health monitoring. The observed nutrient enrichment may be associated, among other possible factors, with tourism-related visitor use and associated wastewater or land-based activities are possible contributing pressures requiring further assessment. This potential relationship highlights the importance of continued water-quality monitoring and sustainable tourism management to protect the river's aquatic ecosystem.
The use of phytoplankton as biological indicators provided a scientific basis for assessing ecological conditions, nutrient pollution, aquatic habitats, and biodiversity status. The resulting data establish baseline information for continued biodiversity monitoring, conservation planning, ecosystem management, and protection of freshwater resources.
The research also extended to knowledge sharing and community engagement. Findings were presented to 30 Dumagat-Remontado families on September 17, 2024, followed on September 18, 2024, by presentations to key officials of the Municipality of General Nakar, including representatives from the Mayor’s Office, MENRO, Tourism Office, and Health Office. These engagements promoted awareness of aquatic biodiversity, ecosystem condition, freshwater conservation, sustainable tourism, and sustainable management of aquatic resources.
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The baseline results guide the continuation of river monitoring, identification of priority sites, sustainable tourism discussions, and riparian ecosystem conservation with the Municipality of General Nakar. These efforts culminated in the renewal of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between PUP and the General Nakar LGU on February 5, 2026, with the newly elected Mayor, institutionalizing continued collaboration for repeated aquatic biodiversity assessment, ecosystem monitoring, and management coordination. The renewed partnership also expands monitoring to include plankton diversity in Tinipak Cave and other freshwater ecosystems, as well as riparian ecosystems across General Nakar. This sustained collaboration strengthens aquatic biodiversity conservation, freshwater ecosystem stewardship, sustainable tourism management, and community engagement.
PUP and General Nakar LGU celebrate the renewed MOA for aquatic biodiversity monitoring and freshwater ecosystem conservation.
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The Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) works directly through research and technology-development activities on practices and technologies that enable the marine industry to minimize or prevent damage to aquatic ecosystems, addressing issues such as harmful algal accumulation, aquatic monitoring, wastewater pollutants, and plastic-waste pathways.
The portfolio combines a directly tested aquatic-management technology with complementary enabling and supporting research.
Overall, the portfolio provides strong direct evidence from one project, moderate enabling evidence from one project, and supporting evidence from two projects.
Automatic Solar-Powered Microcontroller-Based Algae Collector Using Pixy2 Cam in Taal Lake
View more on DOI: 10.1109/TIMES-iCON61890.2024.10630733 Working file: Google Drive link
The Automatic Solar-Powered Microcontroller-Based Algae Collector Using Pixy2 Cam in Taal Lake provides the strongest direct contribution. Developed for Taal Lake, Batangas, the prototype integrates photovoltaic power, rechargeable battery storage, Arduino-based control, Pixy2 colour detection, motor-driven collection, a conveyor belt, a collection tank, ultrasonic fill-level sensing, GSM/SMS alerts, and location tracking. Tests conducted in Taal Lake and a controlled pool demonstrated green-algae detection and selective collection, tank-capacity notification, and functional tracking. Evaluation by 30 residents, fisherfolk, and tourists rated the system's principal functions as “Very Effective,” with an overall composite mean of 3.77. These results provide the clearest evidence of a tested technology designed to prevent or minimise potential damage associated with excessive floating and decomposing algal biomass.
The results demonstrate prototype functionality and performance, rather than confirmed lake-wide ecological improvement. The study does not yet report measurable reductions in chlorophyll-a, nutrient concentrations, cyanotoxins, fish mortality, affected surface area, or other ecosystem-condition indicators. Future field validation should therefore link algae-collection activities with dissolved oxygen, chlorophyll-a, nutrient concentrations, bloom composition, relevant cyanotoxins, fish mortality, collection volume, affected area, and documented management responses. This would provide stronger evidence of the technology's actual contribution to preventing or minimising damage to aquatic ecosystems and support its potential integration into broader lake-management programs.
The “Detection and Tracking of Nile Tilapia Using DeepLabCut with ResNet50 and MobileNetV2” study provides moderate enabling evidence for SDG 14.3.4 by demonstrating automated, non-contact fish monitoring using annotated video and machine-vision models. Under the reported experimental conditions, MobileNet V2-1.0 performed better than ResNet50, demonstrating the feasibility of automated behavioral monitoring. Its contribution is considered enabling rather than direct because the study was conducted in an aquarium setting and did not measure ecosystem damage, water-quality changes, or management outcomes in a natural aquatic environment. Further integration with dissolved oxygen, temperature, turbidity, nutrient levels, disease indicators, stocking density, and mortality records could strengthen the technology's capacity for early detection of abnormal conditions, timely corrective action, and prevention or minimisation of damage to aquatic ecosystems.
View more on DOI: 10.1109/TENCON61640.2024.10902932 Working file: Google Drive link
The “Emerging Pollutants in Wastewater: Challenges and Advancements in Treatment Technology” review provides supporting research and technology-assessment evidence for SDG 14.3.4. The study synthesizes the environmental risks associated with pharmaceuticals and personal-care products, microplastics, and PFAS, evaluates advanced oxidation, adsorption, and biological treatment approaches, and identifies key monitoring, regulatory, economic, and implementation challenges. It provides a prevention-oriented scientific basis for selecting integrated wastewater-treatment strategies to reduce the release of emerging contaminants into aquatic ecosystems. As a literature review, however, it does not constitute a project-specific treatment deployment or pollutant-removal trial and is therefore presented as supporting evidence for technology assessment and pollution-prevention planning.
View more on DOI: 10.1088/1755-1315/1372/1/012037
The Pleurotus florida–LDPE study provides supporting, early-stage pollution-prevention evidence for SDG 14.3.4 by demonstrating the potential of fungal mycelia to contribute to LDPE degradation and reduce plastic waste that could otherwise enter aquatic environments. Laboratory observations indicated slight LDPE decomposition within the reported 1–25% range following exposure to Pleurotus florida mycelia in lignocellulosic substrates. The findings suggest a potential upstream pathway for plastic-pollution reduction; however, the study did not involve an aquatic site or measure water-quality or ecosystem outcomes, and the evidence was primarily microscopy-based. Further technology development should establish mass balance, chemical evidence of degradation, residue safety, operating conditions, reproducibility, and pilot-scale performance to assess its potential for practical plastic-pollution prevention and aquatic ecosystem protection.
View more on: DOI: 10.37855/jah.2024.v26i02.29
Overall, PUP’s 2024 research and technology development portfolio demonstrates a credible and differentiated contribution to SDG 14.3.4. The Taal Lake algae collector provides the primary direct evidence through demonstrated prototype development and functional testing, while the Nile tilapia monitoring study provides complementary enabling evidence for automated aquatic monitoring and early detection. The wastewater-emerging-pollutants review and Pleurotus florida–LDPE study further support the portfolio through pollution-prevention research and early-stage technology development.
Collectively, the portfolio demonstrates PUP’s development and testing of technologies with the potential to prevent or minimise damage to aquatic ecosystems, while claims of measurable ecosystem improvement are reserved for future field-validated and quantitatively documented outcomes.
The Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) implements an integrated institutional framework for water-sensitive waste disposal and pollution prevention, combining wastewater and effluent control, chemical and hazardous-waste management, solid-waste segregation, plastic source reduction, sustainable consumption, green procurement, environmental education, compliance monitoring, and corrective action. These measures address land-based sources of pollution and help prevent contaminants from entering drainage systems, receiving waters, and downstream aquatic and marine ecosystems.
Through the Waste Management Monitoring and Compliance Program, the Pollution Control Service conducts quarterly effluent monitoring and wastewater analysis in accordance with Republic Act No. 9275 (Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004) and applicable DENR standards. The PUP Guidelines on Chemical and Hazardous Wastes Management and Disposal, approved under Board Resolution No. 3234, Series of 2023, further require wastewater treatment, effluent and groundwater monitoring, spill prevention, safe handling and storage, regulatory reporting, and DENR-accredited hazardous-waste treatment and disposal.
The 2024 monitoring program identified concerns involving solid-waste segregation, plastics, Styrofoam, food waste, used oil, chemicals and hazardous wastes, underused grease traps, and direct liquid-waste discharge into drains. PUP responded through environmental inspections, corrective recommendations, drain cleaning, and coordination with concessionaires. Continuing infrastructure plans include septic-tank connections and a proposed sewage-treatment system incorporating secondary treatment, filtration, pumping, aeration, wetlands, and sewer-line re-piping.
Plastic pollution is addressed through the Bring Your Own Reusables (BYOR) Campaign under OVPA Office Memorandum No. 4, Series of 2024, and the restriction of identified single-use plastics under OVPA Office Memorandum No. 20, Series of 2024. These measures promote source reduction, reuse, sustainable consumption, and green procurement, reducing the potential generation and transport of plastic waste, plastic litter, plastic debris, marine debris, and microplastics into aquatic environments. Program continuity is demonstrated by OVPA Office Memorandum Nos. 12 and 13, Series of 2025, covering the expanded single-use plastic prohibition and Plastic Free August Campaign.
Collectively, these measures establish a documented institutional framework for controlling land-based pollution, wastewater and effluent, hazardous substances, and plastic waste. Through monitoring, environmental education, corrective action, enforcement, and infrastructure planning, PUP contributes to water quality protection, aquatic biodiversity conservation, marine pollution prevention, and the protection of aquatic and marine ecosystem health. The available evidence demonstrates institutional prevention and control measures but does not establish quantified reductions in marine litter or microplastic concentrations.
The Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) has implemented water quality standards and guidelines for water discharges through its Waste Management Monitoring and Compliance Program, to uphold water quality and protect ecosystems, wildlife, and human health. Under this program, the Pollution Evaluation Assistant of the Pollution Control Service conducts quarterly effluent monitoring and wastewater analysis in accordance with Republic Act No. 9275 (Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004) and applicable DENR standards, with results documented through monitoring and Self-Monitoring Reports.
The PUP Guidelines on Chemical and Hazardous Wastes Management and Disposal, approved through Board Resolution No. 3234, Series of 2023, further establish requirements for wastewater treatment, effluent and groundwater monitoring, spill prevention, regulatory reporting, and DENR-accredited hazardous-waste treatment and disposal. The 2024 Waste Management Monitoring and Compliance Program identified concerns including solid-waste segregation, improper handling of plastics, Styrofoam, food waste, used oil, chemicals and hazardous wastes, underused grease traps, and direct liquid-waste discharge into drains. PUP addressed these through environmental inspections, corrective recommendations, drain cleaning, and coordination with concessionaires.
PUP also monitors water consumption to support wastewater-flow assessment, conservation, and discharge management. Water use at the A. Mabini Campus decreased from 238,425 m³ in 2024 to 217,297 m³ in 2025 (8.86% reduction), while January–June 2026 consumption was 10.17% lower than the same period in 2025. These data support evidence-based water management and planning for wastewater-treatment capacity.
Continuing infrastructure plans include connecting septic tanks to a main pipeline and developing a sewage-treatment system incorporating secondary treatment, filtration, pumping, aeration, wetlands, and sewer-line re-piping. Collectively, these policies, monitoring activities, corrective measures, and infrastructure improvements strengthen pollution prevention, wastewater and effluent management, water quality protection, and control of land-based sources of aquatic pollution, supporting the conservation of receiving waters, aquatic ecosystems, and biodiversity.
Environmental and wastewater monitoring also identified underutilized grease traps and instances of liquid waste being discharged directly into drainage systems by some concessionaires. PUP addressed these concerns through General Services Office guidelines and corrective recommendations, drain cleaning by the Facilities Management Office, and coordination with concessionaires through the Resource Generation Office and General Services Office.
Through regular solid waste monitoring, environmental inspections, effluent monitoring, corrective actions, documentation, and compliance reporting, PUP strengthens its capacity to control land-based sources of aquatic pollution and wastewater discharges. These measures help protect water quality, receiving waters, aquatic ecosystems, and biodiversity, through pollution prevention, responsible waste and wastewater management, and environmental safety.
The Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) implements a continuing, institution-wide plan for plastic waste reduction and marine pollution prevention through the Bring Your Own Reusables (BYOR) Campaign under OVPA Office Memorandum No. 4, Series of 2024, and the phased prohibition of identified single-use plastics under OVPA Office Memorandum No. 20, Series of 2024. These measures promote source reduction, reuse, sustainable consumption, and responsible waste management to minimize plastic waste, plastic litter, plastic debris, and marine litter.
The BYOR Campaign encourages students, employees, visitors, concessionaires, and contractors to use reusable food containers, utensils, tumblers, and mugs, reducing disposable plastic consumption at source. The single-use plastic policy further restricts specified plastic and polystyrene products and promotes reusable, biodegradable, and sustainable alternatives, supported by green procurement and stakeholder education.
Implementation is supported by monitoring, enforcement, environmental education, research on alternatives, and recognition of successful initiatives. PUP further sustained the program through OVPA Office Memorandum No. 12, Series of 2025, extending the prohibition on single-use plastics from Thursday to Sunday, and OVPA Office Memorandum No. 13, Series of 2025, implementing the Plastic Free August Campaign.
Collectively, these measures directly support SDG 14.4.2 by reducing plastic consumption at source and minimizing the potential transport of plastic debris, anthropogenic debris, and microplastics from land-based activities into waterways and marine ecosystems, thereby supporting marine pollution prevention, aquatic biodiversity, and ecosystem health.
The Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) implements a continuing institutional framework to reduce marine pollution from land-based sources, particularly plastic waste, through source reduction, reuse, sustainable consumption, and responsible waste management. Key measures include OVPA Office Memorandum No. 20, Series of 2024, prohibiting identified single-use plastics, and OVPA Office Memorandum No. 4, Series of 2024, establishing the Bring Your Own Reusables (BYOR) Campaign.
These initiatives reduce the generation of plastic waste, plastic litter, plastic debris, marine debris, and anthropogenic debris and minimize their potential transport through drainage systems and waterways into aquatic and marine ecosystems. Implementation is supported by the General Services Office, relevant University units, and the Pollution Control Service through compliance monitoring, environmental education, sustainable procurement, and enforcement.
PUP further strengthened the program through OVPA Office Memorandum No. 12, Series of 2025, extending the single-use plastic prohibition from Thursday to Sunday, and OVPA Office Memorandum No. 13, Series of 2025, implementing the Plastic-Free August Campaign. These continuing measures advances the University’s commitment to SDG 14 by addressing land-based plastic pollution at source and supporting the protection of aquatic biodiversity, marine ecosystems, and ecosystem health.
The Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) implements a coordinated institutional approach to minimize physical, chemical, and biological alterations associated through institutionalized policies, frameworks, and community-based research activities. This integrated strategy is structured around seven core pillars: water conservation to reduce resource demand; wastewater and effluent management for receiving waters; chemical and hazardous-waste control to block harmful substances; solid-waste and single-use plastic reduction; rigorous facilities maintenance against leaks and blockages; environmental monitoring of pressures; and biodiversity-informed aquatic stewardship integrating research. Together, these operational and research-driven measures function under a unified framework of prevention, control, maintenance, monitoring, and stewardship to protect aquatic ecosystems from institutional pressures.
Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) had implemented an integrated set of institutional measures to minimize physical, chemical, and biological alterations to aquatic ecosystems associated with University operations, drainage pathways, and community-based research activities. These measures included water conservation, wastewater and effluent management, chemical and hazardous-waste control, solid-waste and single-use-plastic reduction, facilities maintenance, environmental monitoring, and biodiversity-informed aquatic stewardship, providing a coordinated approach to protecting aquatic ecosystems and reducing environmental pressures.
Physical, chemical, and biological alterations of aquatic ecosystems are mitigated through the PUP Water Conservation Program (OVPA Office Memorandum No. 5, Series of 2024) and the University Green Procurement Guidelines (Executive Order No. 25). The Water Conservation Program minimizes physical alterations and water withdrawal through regular leak inspections, prompt fixture repairs, building valve regulations, low-volume fixture installations, rainwater harvesting, and wastewater reuse. Concurrently, green procurement standards reduce chemical and biological pollution pressures by prioritizing eco-friendly products and materials. Monitored by the Facilities Management Office, Physical Planning and Development Office, and Pollution Control Services, these integrated measures protect campus drainage systems and connected receiving waters.
Physical and pollution-related pressures were further addressed through the Waste Management Program 2024, which strengthened solid-waste segregation and reduction, drainage maintenance, concessionaire coordination, and corrective measures for underutilized grease traps. The program also established controls against the direct discharge of liquid waste into drainage systems and provided for the connection of septic tanks to a main pipeline. In addition, it proposed the development of a sewage treatment system incorporating secondary treatment, filtration, pumping, aeration, constructed wetlands, and sewer-line re-piping. Collectively, these measures help reduce solid waste, wastewater, and pollutant loads entering drainage pathways and connected aquatic environments.
Chemical alterations are addressed through the PUP Guidelines on Chemical and Hazardous Wastes Management and Disposal (Board Resolution No. 3234, Series of 2023), which establish strict controls from procurement to final disposal under trained Pollution Control Officers. The guidelines mandate wastewater treatment maintenance, effluent and groundwater monitoring, hazardous-waste tracking, regulatory reporting, and spill response to prevent environmental impacts. Implementation is demonstrated through environmental inspections, quarterly effluent analyses, drain cleaning, and grease-trap maintenance coordination with food concessionaires, collectively limiting the discharge of sewage, oils, chemicals, and nutrients into drainage systems and receiving waters.
Biological alterations are addressed through source-reduction measures, environmental monitoring, and biodiversity-informed stewardship. The Waste Management Program and OVPA Office Memorandum No. 20, Series of 2024 reduce single-use plastics entering drainage systems to protect aquatic habitats. These actions are complemented by biological monitoring and community programs, including Tinipak River phytoplankton research (2022–2024) for freshwater health and theCommunity Education through Science Communication (CESC) Program (2023–2025) for coastal biodiversity observations and responsible stewardship, collectively minimizing biological pressures on aquatic ecosystems.
To see how these policies, programs, and research efforts connect, the following table lists the complete set of institutional measures used across physical, chemical, and biological areas:
Together, these measures established an avoid–minimize–control–monitor framework for reducing physical, chemical, and biological pressures on aquatic ecosystems. Physical pressures were addressed through water conservation and facilities management; chemical pressures through wastewater, effluent, chemical, and hazardous-waste controls; and biological pressures through pollution prevention, plastic reduction, biodiversity monitoring, and responsible aquatic-stewardship practices. Assigned institutional responsibilities, monitoring requirements, corrective actions, and community participation provided the governance and implementation mechanisms needed to sustain these measures and minimize impacts on aquatic ecosystems.
Polytechnic University of the Philippines actively monitors the health of aquatic ecosystems through repeated field assessments, marine-hazard tracking, and biodiversity studies. Southern Luzon’s diverse coastal ecosystems support food security, livelihoods, and tourism, while also exposing coastal communities and visitors to marine hazards such as box jellyfish and cone snails, particularly during warmer months. In response, the Research Institute for Science and Technology (RIST) of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) initiated the Community Education through Science Communication (CESC) Program, a multidisciplinary initiative involving faculty researchers from biological science, social science, communication, and education. The program addresses these challenges by integrating aquatic biodiversity research, repeated field monitoring, marine-hazard assessment, science communication, and community engagement to strengthen evidence-based marine safety, public awareness, and stewardship of shared coastal ecosystems.
As part of the program, the research team conducted repeated biodiversity monitoring of jellyfish and cone snails at three coastal sites in Southern Luzon, Philippines from April 2023 to July 2024, with four sampling activities conducted at each site: Barangay Talao-talao, Lucena, Quezon Province; Barangay Canyayo, Sta. Fe, Romblon; and Barangay Paniman, Caramoan, Camarines Sur. The surveys documented 9 jellyfish species, including 4 species considered potentially fatal due to sting injuries, and 48 neogastropod species, including 41 species associated with potential sting-injury risks.
The repeated field collections generated baseline biodiversity records on species occurrence, distribution, and diversity, while also documenting species associated with potential marine-safety risks. These records provide a basis for continued monitoring and assessment of aquatic and coastal ecosystems and support community education on marine biodiversity, species identification, and responsible interaction with coastal environments. Although the available results are aggregated across sampling periods rather than presented as period-specific datasets, the repeated sampling across multiple sites and dates demonstrates an established biodiversity-monitoring program rather than a one-time survey, supporting PUP’s commitment on monitoring the health of aquatic ecosystems.
The occurrence and abundance of jellyfish and cone snails provide valuable ecological information that can contribute to understanding changes in aquatic and coastal environments. Jellyfish populations, in particular, may respond to environmental factors such as temperature, eutrophication, food-web dynamics, and other ecological pressures, making their monitoring useful when supported by appropriate baseline data, environmental measurements, and long-term biodiversity monitoring. The findings further strengthened community education, marine-safety awareness, biodiversity knowledge, and responsible interaction with aquatic and coastal ecosystems, contributing to the sustainable management and conservation of marine resources.
Overall, the CESC Program demonstrates PUP’s commitment to monitoring aquatic ecosystem condition through repeated, multi-site biodiversity assessments. The jellyfish and cone-snail surveys established baseline information on species occurrence, distribution, and diversity across Southern Luzon and provided a foundation for continued monitoring of coastal ecosystems. While the findings do not independently constitute a comprehensive measure of ecosystem health, they establish a structured biodiversity-monitoring baseline that can be strengthened through future integration of environmental and water-quality parameters. The resulting knowledge also supports evidence-based marine safety, community awareness, and responsible stewardship of shared coastal ecosystems.
The Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) develops and supports aquatic-stewardship programs that integrate institutional water management, scientific research, environmental education, community-based monitoring, capacity building, and stakeholder participation. These efforts are driven by two complementary ongoing programs: the Community Education through Science Communication (CESC) Program, which focuses on marine and coastal stewardship, and the PUP Water Conservation Program, which anchors institutional water management and supports research-informed freshwater stewardship.
The CESC Program promotes marine biodiversity awareness, marine-hazard preparedness, coastal safety, and responsible interaction with aquatic resources through research, community education, stakeholder training, and science communication. Meanwhile, the PUP Water Conservation Program, complemented by research-informed engagement on the Tinipak River, promotes responsible water use and freshwater stewardship through institutional measures, monitoring, and collaboration with community and local-government stakeholders.
The Community Education through Science Communication (CESC) Program is an externally funded research and community-engagement program of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP), implemented through the Research Institute for Science and Technology (RIST) and supported through external research funding in October 2022. As a continuing community-based initiative, CESC integrates scientific research, biodiversity assessment, public-health risk assessment, science communication, community education, capacity building, citizen science, and practical coastal action to address marine biodiversity and coastal stewardship concerns. Its three interdependent projects generate scientific and community-based evidence, translate findings into accessible educational and IEC resources, and engage coastal communities and stakeholders in promoting responsible interaction with marine resources, marine safety, and sustainable stewardship of coastal ecosystems. Through these complementary scientific, public-health, educational, and participatory approaches, CESC contributes to SDG 14.5.3 by developing and supporting programs that encourage good aquatic stewardship, interaction with marine resources, marine safety, and sustainable stewardship of coastal ecosystems.
The program is implemented in selected coastal communities in Southern Luzon, including Barangay Talao-Talao, Lucena City, Quezon Province; Barangays Paniman and Haponan, Caramoan, Camarines Sur; and Barangay Canyayo, Santa Fe, Romblon. Between October and December 2022, participating Local Government Units (LGUs) provided Prior Informed Consent, signifying their approval and commitment to collaborate with PUP on marine biodiversity conservation, coastal protection, marine safety, and sustainable resource management.
Through Projects 2 and 3, RIST researchers engage residents, fisherfolk, resort owners, tourists, barangay and municipal officials, community organizations, elementary schools, teachers, students, health workers, and youth. Stakeholders contribute local knowledge and experience through surveys and interviews, participate in the review and validation of educational materials, join marine-hazard preparedness and first-aid training, and promote responsible interactions with coastal organisms.
Stakeholder engagement in action, involving elementary students, youth learners, teachers, barangay officials, health workers, fisherfolk, resort owners, and other community members across the selected coastal communities.
Beginning in April 2023, Project 1 conducted biodiversity assessments of box jellyfish and neogastropods were conducted to document their occurrence, diversity, distribution, and ecological characteristics, and to identify marine-envenomation risks and priority areas for education and monitoring. The resulting scientific evidence supported the development of educational resources, stakeholder training, and community engagement activities, linking biodiversity research with practical measures that promote responsible stewardship of marine and coastal ecosystems.
View: Project 1 Report
Project 2 engaged 656 survey respondents and 104 semi-structured interview participants across Lucena City, Quezon Province; Caramoan, Camarines Sur; and Sta. Fe, Romblon. Participants included coastal residents, fisherfolk, resort owners, tourists, municipal and community officials, community-organization members, and teachers, providing a stakeholder-inclusive understanding of marine-envenomation risks, local practices, and response capacity.
Interviewing local residents, health workers, barangay officials, fisherfolk, and other stakeholders across the selected coastal communities.
The findings identified community needs and barriers to safe coastal-resource use and provided a basis for standardized first-aid guidance, case reporting, targeted training, accessible interventions, and inclusive risk-reduction measures. In this way, Project 2 connects community knowledge and experience with evidence-based coastal management and stewardship.
Primary first-aid interventions for box jellyfish sting as reported by respondents.
Concept map showing the gaps and opportunities of first-aid practices and case reporting of box jellyfish sting in the coastal communities.
View more of the result: Project 2 Results
Baybay Salabay, under Project 3, complements formal biodiversity assessments by providing a citizen-science mechanism for observing and reporting box jellyfish and cone-snail occurrences. It broadens community participation in marine biodiversity monitoring while strengthening knowledge of species identification, coastal safety, and the ecological importance of marine organisms.
PUP supports these activities through scientific expertise, technical guidance, free training, and locally accessible educational resources, reducing financial, technical, and language barriers to participation. These non-financial forms of support strengthen community capacity, participation, and shared responsibility for aquatic stewardship.
In 2024, Project 3 facilitated the review and validation of age-appropriate educational resources on box jellyfish and cone snails, with teacher input guiding refinement and student participation helping assess their acceptability and relevance. The project translated findings from Projects 1 and 2 into science-based, culturally responsive educational materials, including Grades 1–3 coloring books, Grades 4–6 activity books, and Aliya storybooks in English, Filipino, Onhan, and Bikol. These resources promote marine biodiversity awareness, species identification, ecological understanding, marine-envenomation risk awareness, safe practices, and responsible interaction with coastal organisms.
Project 3 also developed community IEC posters providing evidence-based guidance on box jellyfish sting prevention, appropriate first aid, emergency response, and practices to avoid. Local partners reviewed and provided feedback on the materials, which was incorporated into the final versions to strengthen their local relevance, acceptability, and community ownership.
In October–November 2024, community-based first-aid training was conducted across the selected coastal communities, engaging 150 elementary students and 150 community stakeholders, including barangay officials, health workers, youth, fisherfolk, and resort owners. The training strengthened participants’ knowledge and skills in marine-hazard awareness, appropriate response, and responsible interaction with marine organisms, while encouraging them to share the information within their families, workplaces, and communities.
As a Project 3 subproject, Baybay Salabay extends these education and engagement activities through a continuing citizen-science and public-participation mechanism. It encourages community members to observe and report box jellyfish and cone-snail occurrences while strengthening knowledge of species identification, coastal safety, ecological importance, and responsible marine stewardship. Through its integrated research, education, capacity-building, and community engagement activities, the CESC Program supports good aquatic stewardship by connecting scientific evidence with practical coastal education, stakeholder participation, citizen science, and marine environmental monitoring. Its three complementary projects establish a continuum from biodiversity and risk assessment to community education, training, reporting, and stewardship action. These efforts strengthen environmental literacy, equitable access to marine-safety information, stakeholder capacity, community participation, and responsible interaction with marine resources, while supporting the conservation and sustainable management of marine and coastal ecosystems. Through this continuing, community-based approach, CESC contributes directly to raising awareness on good aquatic stewardship.
Learn more on Baybay Salabay Official Facebook Page
To learn more about the CESC Program, you may review the following documentation and media resources:
Together with research-informed freshwater engagement such as the Tinipak River study, the Water Conservation Program demonstrates how PUP combines institutional action, monitoring, scientific knowledge, education, and stakeholder participation to promote responsible use and protection of freshwater resources. This provides a complementary institutional component to CESC's community-based coastal stewardship and supports SDG 14 by developing and sustaining programs that encourage good aquatic stewardship.
Water-consumption records provide quantitative evidence of continued monitoring under the Water Conservation Program. At the A. Mabini Campus, annual consumption decreased from 238,425 m³ in 2024 to 217,297 m³ in 2025, representing a reduction of 21,128 m³ (8.86%). For the comparable January–June period, consumption also declined from 114,115 m³ in 2024 to 108,088 m³ in 2025 and 97,097 m³ in 2026. These records demonstrate ongoing monitoring and a sustained downward trend in water consumption, supporting institutional efforts to promote responsible water use and good aquatic stewardship.
View: PUP Annual Water Consumption Monitoring (2024-2026)
PUP complements institutional water conservation with research-informed freshwater stewardship. In partnership with the Local Government Unit of General Nakar, Quezon, a phytoplankton assessment was conducted in Tinipak River, Barangay Pagsangahan, using phytoplankton communities as biological indicators of water quality, ecosystem health, and freshwater ecosystem condition.
The findings were translated into a research brief, infographic, and community educational presentation on phytoplankton biodiversity, water quality, ecosystem health, pollution prevention, and responsible river use. On September 17, 2024, these materials were presented to approximately 30 Dumagat-Remontado families at the Tinipak Camping Grounds, strengthening community understanding of freshwater biodiversity and responsible river stewardship.
Discussion of significant findings with community stakeholders at the Tinipak Camping Grounds.
On September 18, 2024, the findings and their conservation and policy implications were presented to the Municipal Mayor’s Office, Municipal Administration, Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office, Municipal Health Office, Municipal Tourism Office, and Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office. The Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office subsequently cascaded the information to Sangguniang Bayan members, barangay captains, and Dumagat-Remontado tribal chieftains and elders during a regular joint meeting.
This engagement established a stakeholder-inclusive pathway for scientific information to support freshwater monitoring, water-quality management, aquatic biodiversity conservation, tourism planning, public health, and sustainable river use. Through scientific assessment, technical interpretation, accessible educational resources, and policy-oriented knowledge sharing, the initiative strengthened local capacity for freshwater stewardship.
Together, the Water Conservation and Freshwater Stewardship Program operates at both institutional and community levels—combining responsible water-use practices, quantitative monitoring, clear institutional responsibilities, scientific research, community education, and active stakeholder participation to promote the protection and sustainable management of freshwater resources.
The two complementary programs demonstrate a multi-level approach to aquatic stewardship. The CESC Program integrates ecological and biodiversity research, public-health and community-risk assessment, multilingual science communication, community training, stakeholder engagement, and citizen science through Baybay Salabay. These activities connect scientific evidence with public participation, marine-environmental observation, occurrence reporting, and responsible interaction with coastal resources. The Water Conservation and Freshwater Stewardship Program, meanwhile, establishes institution-wide water-conservation measures and quantitative monitoring while extending research-based freshwater education and technical knowledge sharing to Indigenous community and local-government stakeholders associated with the Tinipak River.
Together, the two programs demonstrate sustained mechanisms for good aquatic stewardship through formal policies, scientific and technical assistance, accessible educational resources, stakeholder participation, citizen science, reporting mechanisms, capacity building, and quantitative resource monitoring. These complementary actions strengthen shared responsibility for the responsible use, protection, conservation, and sustainable management of marine and freshwater resources.
The Community Education through Science Communication (CESC) Program is a program of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) initiated by the Research Institute for Science and Technology (RIST) in October 2022. It is an integrated, community-based initiative that promotes the assessment, monitoring, conservation, and sustainable management of marine and coastal ecosystems through science-based research, education, and community engagement.
CESC Program began biodiversity assessments of box jellyfish and neogastropods in April 2023, documenting their occurrence, diversity, and distribution while assessing marine envenomation risks and priority areas. The scientific findings are translated into information, education, and communication (IEC) materials, community outreach activities, and stakeholder training. These integrated activities strengthen scientific knowledge of marine biodiversity, enhance community awareness of coastal ecosystems and associated risks, promote responsible coastal practices, and foster community participation in marine conservation and sustainable coastal resource management.
The program is implemented in selected coastal communities in Southern Luzon, including Barangay Talao-Talao, Lucena, Quezon Province; Barangays Paniman and Haponan, Caramoan, Camarines Sur; and Barangay Canyayo, Sta. Fe, Romblon. Prior to implementation, the Local Government Units (LGUs) in each participating coastal community provided Prior Informed Consent (PIC) between October and December 2022, signifying their formal approval and commitment to collaborate with PUP in addressing marine biodiversity, coastal conservation, and sustainable management concerns within their respective coastal communities.
Through these partnerships, RIST works with barangay officials, elementary schools, resort owners, health workers, fisherfolk, and coastal residents to address risks associated with venomous marine organisms, particularly box jellyfish and cone snails, and to promote the responsible use and stewardship of coastal resources. Joint activities include marine hazard monitoring, community education, first-aid training, and dissemination of science-based IEC materials.
The CESC Program developed age-appropriate, science-based, and culturally relevant IEC materials on box jellyfish and cone snails to promote marine biodiversity awareness, safety, and responsible interaction with coastal organisms. In 2024, the materials underwent review and validation by elementary school teachers, whose feedback guided their refinement and finalization, while student feedback and participation helped assess their acceptability, relevance, and effectiveness as learning resources.
Each material integrates information on box jellyfish and cone snails and was translated into English, Filipino, Onhan, and Bikol to enhance accessibility and cultural relevance. The outputs include four coloring books for Grades 1–3, four activity books for Grades 4–6, and four Aliya storybooks, with each language version presenting marine biodiversity, species identification, ecological significance, envenomation risks, and appropriate safety practices through engaging illustrations, interactive activities, and age-appropriate narratives.
These developed IEC materials on box jellyfish envenomation, including three posters on the appropriate do’s and don’ts following a box jellyfish sting, translated into English, Filipino, and Bikol, and one Filipino-language poster featuring the ALISTO first-aid guide. These materials provide evidence-based guidance on sting prevention, appropriate first aid, and emergency response, while addressing unsafe practices and common misconceptions. Local partners provided feedback on the content, format, language, and suitability of the materials for their respective coastal communities, which was incorporated into the finalization process.
Elementary school teachers in the participating coastal communities expressed support for incorporating the IEC materials into their teaching activities to enhance learners’ awareness of marine biodiversity and marine hazard risks. In particular, Talao-Talao Elementary School in Barangay Talao-Talao, Lucena City, Quezon Province, has already utilized the IEC materials as supplementary learning resources, integrated them into classroom activities, and incorporated relevant content into its curriculum. This continued use provides a sustained mechanism for strengthening marine biodiversity education, hazard awareness, and responsible stewardship of coastal ecosystems.
On October–November 2024 CESC team conducted community-based first-aid training on box jellyfish envenomation across all selected coastal communities, engaging 150 elementary students and 150 community stakeholders, including barangay officials, health workers, youth, fisherfolk, and resort owners. The training strengthened marine hazard awareness, community preparedness, and responsible interaction with marine organisms. Participants and local partners committed to applying the knowledge and skills gained in their daily activities and sharing the information with colleagues, families, and other community members, thereby extending the reach of the training. These efforts strengthened local capacity to respond appropriately to marine envenomation incidents and supported the safe and sustainable use and stewardship of coastal ecosystems.
In April–May 2025, approximately 2,000 copies of the coloring books, activity books, and storybooks were produced, along with 300 posters. The IEC materials were distributed through schools, barangays, resorts, health facilities, LGUs, and other coastal community establishments. The materials were subsequently adopted, displayed, and used by local partners in their respective coastal communities, providing sustained access to information on marine biodiversity, species identification, and marine envenomation prevention and response. This continued use strengthens environmental literacy, promotes responsible coastal practices, and encourages community participation in marine biodiversity conservation and sustainable stewardship.
These collaborations strengthen local capacity for marine hazard identification, incident response, biodiversity awareness, and safe interaction with aquatic resources. The dissemination and use of IEC materials in schools, barangays, and coastal establishments provide communities with practical guidance that can be incorporated into local safety and awareness practices. Through continued engagement with LGUs and community stakeholders, the CESC Program supports sustained protection, conservation, and community-based stewardship of coastal ecosystems.
Overall, the CESC Program contributes to SDG 14 by generating scientific information on marine biodiversity, assessing and monitoring marine species and associated hazards, and promoting awareness and stewardship of marine ecosystems. Through its integrated sustainable coastal resource use and stewardship, the program provides evidence to support local conservation planning, marine risk-reduction strategies, responsible resource use, and the sustainable management of biologically diverse coastal areas.
The Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) has formally implemented a location-specific watershed management strategy through the “Tinipak River Plankton Diversity Conservation and Watershed Management Strategy,” developed via institutional research initiatives.
PUP’s Research Institute for Science and Technology (RIST) and the PUP Herbarium (PUPH), completed a location-specific scientific baseline to support the development of the “Tinipak River Plankton Diversity Conservation and Watershed Management Strategy.” The baseline integrates findings from RIST-led studies on phytoplankton community structure and riparian vegetation along the Tinipak River and its adjoining river corridor in General Nakar, Quezon. The research also provided opportunities for undergraduate Plant Biology majors to contribute to biodiversity assessment and develop related studies as part of their undergraduate theses, strengthening the scientific evidence base for freshwater biodiversity conservation and watershed management.
The phytoplankton assessment established a location-specific baseline of aquatic biodiversity across upstream, midstream, and downstream stations of the Tinipak River. A total of 76 phytoplankton taxa representing seven major groups, namely Cyanophyta, Chlorophyta, Bacillariophyta, Euglenozoa, Myzozoa, Rhodophyta, and Charophyta, were recorded. The June 2022 assessment showed high phytoplankton richness, low to moderate diversity, and low evenness, with dissolved oxygen, temperature, pH, and turbidity identified as important environmental factors influencing community structure. The relatively high abundance of Oscillatoria sp., Stigeoclonium sp., and Lyngbya majuscula suggested possible eutrophic conditions during the sampling period, highlighting the need for continued seasonal monitoring of nutrients, organic pollution, and water quality to inform evidence-based freshwater conservation and watershed management.
Learn more on: TECHNICAL REPORT PHYTOPLANKTON
The riparian vegetation assessment provided a complementary watershed and habitat baseline for the Tinipak River. The study documented 386 vascular plant taxonomic records or morphotaxa representing 77 families and identified threatened, endemic, native, naturalized, and economically important plant species. It also documented differences in vegetation among river sections and sampling periods, vegetation changes associated with flooding and typhoons, the widespread occurrence of Sphagneticola trilobata, and pressures related to tourism, settlements, laundry, processing activities, livelihood practices, and local access. These findings help identify riverbank areas where habitat protection, native vegetation restoration, runoff control, visitor management, and invasive-plant monitoring may be needed to maintain riparian and aquatic ecosystem conditions and support sustainable watershed management.
Learn more on: TECHNICAL REPORT RIPARIAN
The integrated findings from the phytoplankton and riparian vegetation assessments provide the scientific basis for developing a Tinipak River Watershed Management Strategy. The strategy will prioritize seasonal plankton and water-quality monitoring, early detection of ecological changes, identification of nutrient and pollution sources, riparian-buffer protection, native vegetation restoration, site-specific management zoning, responsible tourism and community use, and collaborative implementation involving government agencies, Indigenous Peoples, local communities, and research institutions and technical experts.
Learn more on: TECHNICAL SYNTHESIS REPORT
The proposed management framework translates the research findings into eight priority action areas: (1) seasonal plankton and water-quality monitoring; (2) identification and control of nutrient, wastewater, and pollution sources; (3) protection of riparian vegetation and riverbank buffers; (4) restoration of degraded areas using native species; (5) site-specific management zoning; (6) responsible community and visitor use; (7) early-warning and adaptive-response mechanisms for ecological and water-quality changes; and (8) collaborative watershed governance with defined roles for government, Indigenous Peoples, local communities, PUP, and technical partners.
Know more on: TECHNICAL SYNTHESIS REPORT
Overall, the findings establish the Tinipak River as a biologically diverse but environmentally sensitive freshwater system, where aquatic and riparian communities are influenced by water-quality conditions, natural disturbances, and human activities. The completed studies provide the scientific baseline and management rationale for the proposed Tinipak River Watershed Management Strategy, which prioritizes continued biodiversity and water-quality monitoring, nutrient and pollution control, riparian habitat protection and restoration, site-specific management zoning, responsible community and visitor use, early-warning mechanisms, and collaborative watershed governance. At this stage, the institutional strategy, implementation plan, governance arrangements, performance indicators, and public evidence system are being developed to translate the research findings into a formal and implementable watershed management strategy that supports the long-term conservation and sustainable management of the Tinipak River ecosystem.
The Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) maintains a robust portfolio of publications and documentation highlighting its active contributions, institutional initiatives, and community-driven projects aligned with global sustainability standards. To explore the university's comprehensive commitments, ongoing projects, and strategic milestones dedicated to advancing each of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), browse the sections below:
The Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) regularly publishes and communicates its institutional progress, research output, and administrative milestones aligned with SDG 14 through official university publications. As documented in the institutional evidence catalogue below, PUP highlights its active contributions towards the advancement of Life Below Water.
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