Notre Dame of Dadiangas University (NDDU) Peace Education Center (PEC) spearheaded a mangrove planting activity at the Sharif Mucsin Mangrove Sanctuary in Barangay Baluan, General Santos City, on September 21, gathering volunteers from partner organizations to protect the coastal ecosystem in celebration of the annual Season of Creation and the International Day of Peace.
Observed globally from September 1 to October 4, the Season of Creation is an annual ecumenical period that brings Christians together to reflect on environmental stewardship and take concrete action in caring for the environment.
The Peace Education Center (PEC), in coordination with the NDDU International Relations Office (IRO), spearheaded the collaboration with the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) and CENRO-Gensan for the activity, which also served as a Community Involvement Service (CIS) activity for NDDU students and faculty, with participation from the Inclusive Program for Equal Access to Complete Education (IPEACE), Sustainability Advocates for Climate Change Action (SACCA) Inc., Philippine Red Cross-Gensan, Brigada News Gensan, Holy Trinity College, and The Voice Publication.
The morning program began with an opening prayer, followed by the recognition of partner organizations and symbolic peace rites before participants proceeded with the mangrove planting activity.
The activity highlighted the role of mangrove planting in protecting coastal ecosystems as volunteers planted seedlings as part of the community’s environmental efforts.
The initiative brought together various organizations in support of environmental protection, peace, and community cooperation, concluding the activity with participants completing the mangrove planting at the sanctuary.
