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The University of Southern Mindanao (USM) earned another international recognition after its extension project, BIOnihan Para Sa Kalikasan in Columbio: Promoting Holistic Biodiversity Conservation Through Community Partnership, was awarded Most Outstanding ASEAN SDG Project (Planet Category) during the ASEAN Conference on Extension for Sustainable Development Goals (ACES) Summit 2025, held on November 29, 2025 in Cagayan de Oro City.
The project, led by Prof. Bryan Lloyd P. Bretaña of the Department of Biological Sciences, strengthens community involvement in biodiversity conservation in Columbio, Sultan Kudarat. The initiative helped train Bantay-Gubat and local parabiologists on species identification, sampling techniques, report preparation, and basic biomonitoring. A preliminary survey in selected forested areas recorded 72 tree species, including several native and endemic species, with many already facing conservation concerns—showing the importance of continued local participation in safeguarding these areas.
It was also recognized for its contribution to SDG 15: Life on Land, making it one of the selected initiatives invited to present at the ACES Summit.
The BIOnihan team includes Prof. Florence Roy P. Salvaña, Prof. Cromwel D. Jumao-as, Prof. Cherie C. Mangaoang, and Mr. Lau Domondon, in partnership with MENRO-Columbio.
In a Facebook post, Bretaña expressed his appreciation for the team’s dedication and the support of the local government, celebrating the recognition as a meaningful achievement for the university.
