Bobby Alaman/ Caryl Trisha Yapac - MUCEP
September 2, 2025 9:00 A.M.
28
Immersion, Outreach, Tree Growing Mark 2025 MOVE Youth Summit at MMRNP
The Misamis Occidental Volunteers for the Environment (MOVE) – Misamis University Chapter successfully conducted the MOVE Youth Summit 2025 with the theme, "Empowering Youth for Mt. Malindang: Environmental Learning and Community Connection in the Protected Area." It was conducted at the Mt. Malindang Range Natural Park, Municipality of Don Victoriano, Misamis Occidental, on August 2-3, 2025. It was participated in by twenty MOVE members, alumni, and facilitators.
The summit highlighted three major events— community immersion, community outreach with the locals, and a tree growing activity at the MMRNP Arboretum, Barangay Nueva Vista, Don Victoriano, Misamis Occidental.
As young volunteers, the MOVE members were expected to (1) deepen their sense of environmental stewardship; (2) strengthen their leadership and teamwork skills; and (3) cultivate meaningful connections with the communities that serve as stewards of the Mt. Malindang Range Natural Park (MMRNP), an ASEAN Natural Heritage Park and protected area.
Upon arrival at the Barangay Lake Duminagat on August 2, MOVE members participated in a community immersion at Lake Duminagat, where they socialized with the locals. Before going to the lake, there was a short briefing by the designated Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Officer (MENRO), Chona Dulalas. She warmly welcomed the member and stressed the importance of Mt. Malindang Range Natural Park as a watershed. MENRO Dulalas, along with her staff, accompanied the MOVE members on the 45-minute trek to the lake.
On the second day, a community outreach was arranged by the organization with the support of Punong Barangay Hon. Elias Alayaay of Lake Duminagat and the participation of day care and elementary pupils from Lake Duminagat Elementary School. Hon. Alayaay was thankful to MOVE - MU Chapter for initiating this activity. During the community outreach, the volunteers shared 43 sets of school supplies (envelopes, ballpens, notebooks, and pencils) and 40 Science and Grammar books from the MU Learning Resource Center, as facilitated by Mrs. Myrna Cartagenas (MU Library Director). MUCEP also provided 20 BPAT t-shirts. The organization also organized a series of community games to interact with the children. Rewards and snacks were later provided by the MOVE members.
One of the significant aspects of the community event is the storytelling of “Malin in Malindang” as led by Ms. Nidine Dominese, a MOVE Alumni from the MU College of Education (Batch 2025). The story narrates the adventure of a 10-year-old girl as she explores and realizes the value and importance of MMRNP to communities dependent on its resources. The storybook was made possible through the Valuation for Ecosystem Services (VFES) project funded by DOST-PCAARRD. Printing was sponsored by the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity and Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. Technical support was given by the Department of Natural Resources (DENR), National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), Mt. Malindang Range Natural Park - Protected Area Management Board (MMRNP-PAMB), and Misamis University.
The MOVE Youth Summit concluded with the growing of 50 Philippine-Endemic Narra seedlings at the DENR-MMRNP PAMO Arboretum. The planting site was prepared by the DENR-PAMO, led by Mr. Reneil Comilap.
The success of the MOVE Youth Summit 2025 was made possible through the support of the following: (1) the Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (DENR-CENRO), Ozamiz City, for providing 50 pieces of Narra seedlings; (2) the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) 2nd Engineering District of Misamis Occidental – Tangub City, through Engineer De Carol Lyn C.Abinales, for providing transportation by securing one unit of vehicle to ferry participants from MU-Ozamiz to Barangay Lake Duminagat and back; (3) the Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Protected Area Management Office (DENR-PAMO), led by PASu Rey S. Fernandez, for issuing the mountaineering permit and assigning staff to assist in the tree-growing activity; (4) Lieutenant Colonel Nelson Q. Boticario, Commanding Officer of the 10th Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army, for granting clearance for the activity; (5) Hon. Bertuldo Murallon Jr., Municipal Mayor of Don Victoriano, Misamis Occidental, for issuing the necessary permit allowing the participation of MOVE Volunteers; and (6) Dr. Karen Belina F. De Leon, President (Misamis University), for her support that ensured the successful implementation of the program
This activity is a testament to volunteers whose passion and dedication were shaped to live their role through their involvement and participation in environmental pursuits geared towards contributing to the achievement of the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
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