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COLUMBIO, Sultan Kudarat — Continuing its mission to champion biodiversity conservation, the BIOnihan Para sa Kalikasan Project team from the University of Southern Mindanao (USM) returned to the Municipality of Columbio on January 9, 2026. The visit focused on conducting a specialized follow-up training workshop on environmental incident reporting for the local Bantay Kalikasan (forest guards).
The USM delegation, led by Project Leaders Bryan Lloyd P. Bretaña and Prof. Cherie C. Mangaoang, Extension Services Office Director Glyn B. Gabano-Magbanua, Prof. Anamarie B. Uyangurin and the USM Department of Biological Sciences, commenced the visit with a courtesy call to Municipal Mayor Amirh M. Musali.
The meeting served as a strategic session to discuss the future endeavors of the collaboration between USM and the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO) Columbio. During the visit, the team also celebrated a major milestone with the local government: the project’s recognition as the Most Outstanding ASEAN SDG Project (Planet Category) during the ASEAN Conference on Extension for Sustainable Development Goals (ACES) Summit 2025.
Following the courtesy call, the team transitioned to the technical workshop, where Prof. Bretaña shared his expertise on environmental incident reporting with the bantay kalikasan. The session served as a vital refresher for the forest guards on identifying and documenting ecological threats. To further professionalize their operations, the team introduced an enhanced Environmental Incident Report form with Filipino translations. The tool is designed to ensure more accurate and comprehensive reporting, ultimately enabling local authorities to respond and monitor incidents with greater efficiency.
To bridge theory and practice, the lecture was followed by an interactive simulation. The participants engaged in real environmental scenarios, practicing how to fill out the enhanced forms under pressure. This hands-on approach ensured that the forest guards are not just familiar with the paperwork, but are capable of high-quality reporting in the field.
A gender disaggregation survey was then introduced following the training workshop. Facilitated by Prof. Anamarie B. Uyangurin, participants completed a survey designed to determine the gender roles of the bantay kalikasan during the conduct of their environmental conservation activities.
The program concluded with a strong message of commitment from Lauro V. Domondon, MENRO Columbio Head Officer: “Thank you for the partnership for the development and growth of our environment and our forest guards. Alongside our Mayor, you can expect our continued dedication and support so we can better preserve and protect the biodiversity of Columbio from both natural and man-made environmental incidents.”
This follow-up training marks a significant milestone in the USM-Columbio partnership, reinforcing a shared commitment to grassroots environmental stewardship. By equipping the Bantay Kalikasan with sophisticated tools and deeper ecological insights, the BIOnihan project ensures that these frontline defenders are better prepared to safeguard their natural heritage for future generations.
