The Eastern Visayas State University (EVSU), through its Biodiversity Enhancement and Sustainable Solutions for Local Development (BESOLD) extension program, is taking concrete steps toward building more sustainable future for local communities with series of habitat restoration activities in Jubilee Cross Hill in Matalom, Leyte as its extension locale.
This eight-year program aims to address critical environmental and sustainability challenges from habitat restoration, community education, eco-tourism development to sustainable livelihood projects. Specifically, the program responds to Sustainable Development Goals 13 (Climate Action), SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 15 (Life on Land), and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).
The BESOLD program brings together select faculty from the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), College of Education (COEd), and College of Business and Entrepreneurship (COBE) under the Master in Public Resource Management (MPRM) program.
After the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement in December 2024 with the local government unit of Matalom, the program began its year 1 project initiatives in Jubilee Cross Hill (JCH), Matalom, Leyte, in close collaboration with Barangay San Juan officials headed by its barangay captain Hon. Rufino Z. Lastra.
In February 2025, the planting of 100 Banaba (Lagerstroemia speciosa) trees, a flowering species native to the Philippines was done, with more than 70 participants including MPRM graduate students, the faculty and the community. The activity began with a briefing on proper planting techniques to ensure the survival and healthy growth of the trees.
On August 8, the BESOLD team set up nine solar-powered lights atop Jubilee Cross Hill, improving safety and accessibility for residents and visitors as part of the extension program’s eco-tourism initiatives. The team also propagated twenty (20) Mussaenda philippica shrubs, commonly known as Doña Aurora, at the site, following a brief lecture on marcotting by BESOLD program lead, Dr. Pearl Aphrodite B. Carnice. The activity was led by students from the Doctor of Management Technology (DMT) program.
With year 1 project initiatives already making visible impact in the extension locale, BESOLD is set to roll out community education workshops on climate change and sustainable practices in the last quarter of the year, achieving its year 2 activities.
Launched in 2024 and set to conclude in 2032, the eight-year extension program is sustained through the ongoing collaboration of the university, the local government, and community members in the adopted area. #
This article is aligned with the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 04: Quality Education; SDG 08: Decent Work and Economic Growth; SDG 13: Climate Action; SDG (15): Life on Land
Via: Mary Grace H. Aruta l BESOLD Member
