UC Convenes Multi-Stakeholder Consultation to Revive Cebu’s Mango and Guyabano Industry, Advance Environmental Stewardship
With the shared vision of building a greener and more resilient Cebu, the University of Cebu– METC hosted the Multi-Stakeholder Consultation and Meeting for the Revival of the Cebu Mango/ Guyabano Industry and Saving the Environment on July 4, 2026. The forum gathered leaders from government agencies, the academe, environmental organizations, and community stakeholders to strengthen partnerships and promote sustainable agricultural development across the province.
The program commenced with the preliminaries, invocation, singing of the Philippine National Anthem, and a welcome message from Atty. Augusto W. Go, Chairman of the University of Cebu, emphasizing the importance of collective action in protecting the environment and ensuring food security for future generations.
Setting the tone for the forum, Atty. Bian Venutelo Jr., Lead Convenor, together with Mr. Rey T. Caloy, Chairperson of Philippine Inno-Ventures Agriculture Cooperative (PIVAC), presented the rationale behind the initiative, highlighting the urgent need for collaboration among government, private institutions, and local communities in addressing Cebu's environmental and agricultural concerns.
The morning session featured a series of insightful discussions led by distinguished resource speakers. Dr. Loraine C. Enriquez, Regional Executive Director of the Department of Agriculture Region VII, presented the current agricultural situation in Cebu, emphasizing the challenges faced by local farmers and the opportunities for sustainable food production. This was followed by Forester Jose Cleo Cay F. Colis, DENR VII Regional Director for Special Concerns, who discussed the province's environmental condition and underscored the importance of preserving natural ecosystems as the foundation of agricultural productivity.
Completing the morning lectures, Mr. Wilson Calayon, Cebu City Agriculturist II, delivered a presentation on "The Soil and Its Present Condition," stressing that healthy soil remains one of the most essential resources in achieving sustainable agriculture and long-term environmental resilience.
The afternoon session shifted from discussion to action as Merisine C. Otara, Senior Agriculturist II, introduced participants to Sustainable Farming Systems, showcasing practical approaches that integrate environmental stewardship with productive farming practices.
Participants then engaged in an interactive workshop where organizations reflected on their current environmental initiatives and identified concrete ways to strengthen partnerships in regenerating Cebu. The collaborative activity encouraged participants to recognize that meaningful environmental change can only be achieved through collective commitment and shared responsibility.
To reinforce the day's discussions, hands-on demonstrations were conducted on seedling preparation by Mr. Delito and waste composting by Mr. Robert William Beam, equipping participants with practical and sustainable techniques that can be applied within their own communities and organizations.
The forum concluded with the presentation of workshop outputs, the signing of a Pledge of Commitment, and closing remarks, symbolizing the participants' unified dedication to protecting Cebu's environment and promoting sustainable agricultural practices.
More than a gathering of stakeholders, the forum served as a call to action, reminding everyone that regenerating Cebu begins with collaboration, responsible stewardship, and a shared commitment to creating a future where communities and nature thrive together.
Via D/C Jhunbhevear Tura
Photos by Yuri Bernate
