CatSU makes waves on the global stage

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CatSU makes waves on the global stage

𝐃𝐫. 𝐉𝐢𝐦𝐦𝐲 𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐚𝐠𝐜𝐚, 𝐜𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐭, 𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐤𝐬 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐬𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐭 𝐔𝐍 𝐎𝐜𝐞𝐚𝐧 𝐃𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐁𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐚, 𝐒𝐩𝐚𝐢𝐧

From the island-province of Catanduanes to the coastal city of Barcelona, Spain, Dr. Jimmy T. Masagca, a renowned climate change expert from the Catanduanes State University (CatSU), joined his fellow climate experts and scientists across the world at the three-day UN Ocean Decade Conference from April 10-12, and talked about mangrove restoration.

Hosted by the Government of Spain and co-organized with UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC/UNESCO), the conference celebrated the three-year achievements of the 10-year framework initiative of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030) and set joint priorities to overcome the various challenges being confronted by our oceans including climate change, natural hazards, and pollution among others.

As among the three invited Filipinos at the UN Ocean Decade, Dr. Masagca presented and spoke with his fellow climate experts about his paper entitled ‘A nature-based solution for climate adaptation and mangrove biodiversity rehabilitation as a conservation evidence initiative in the Philippines’, anchored with the 2nd of 10 Ocean Decade Challenges — protect and restore ecosystems and biodiversity.

Aligned with the vision and mission of the UN Ocean Decade, the said paper, co-authored by the university president Dr. Patrick Alain T. Azanza, and Dr. Jennifer A. Berces, stood out among over 5,000 submitted entries across the globe and made it to the conference, according to Dr. Masagca.

“I presented each project from coastal oceanography, coastal biology, coastal livelihood, marine ecosystem-based management, marine social science, policy formulation, establishment and rehabilitation of mangrove centers in Catanduanes,” Dr. Masagca shared.

This 10-million project is under the Academe for Community Empowerment - Holistic and Ecosystem-based Approach for Mangrove Sustainability or ACE-HEMS program, funded by the Commission on Higher Education - National Agriculture and Fisheries Education System (CHED-NAFES).

“Although this is a local project, Catanduanes becomes a model of the Philippines and the World,” he proudly added.

𝐶𝑂𝑁𝐹𝐸𝑅𝐸𝑁𝐶𝐸 𝑇𝐴𝐾𝐸𝐴𝑊𝐴𝑌𝑆

Sharing some takeaways from the conference, the CatSU professor cited the significance of community engagement, technology integration, and collaboration in addressing the environmental challenges.

“University should not stand at the top of the pedestal, we should go down to the local communities, work with them, study with them,” he uttered.

Looking ahead, Dr. Masagca's journey continues to unfold on the international stage. Following the success of the Barcelona conference, he is poised to attend future summits in Abu Dhabi and France in 2025.

With his ceaseless dedication and commitment to environmental advocacy, the university professor has been selected to be part of the national panel of technical experts of the Climate Change Commission in 2021 and a member of the International Union and Conservation of Nature (UNCC) since 2009.

Asked about his advice to the younger generations, Dr. Masagca's message resounds with clarity: "Study, do research, communicate, and never let financial difficulties hinder your dreams."

He also believes that the success of one person is not about what school you graduated from, but rather on a person's ability to rely, connect, study, collaborate, and communicate.

Dr. Masagca’s journey, from his humble beginnings as an islander and on becoming a renowned climate expert at the global arena, serves as a testament to the transformative power of education and passion for the environment.

𝑃ℎ𝑜𝑡𝑜 𝐶𝑟𝑒𝑑𝑖𝑡: 𝐷𝑟. 𝐽𝑖𝑚𝑚𝑦 𝑇. 𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑎𝑔𝑐𝑎 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑈𝑃 𝑀𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑒 𝑆𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝐼𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑡𝑢𝑡𝑒 𝑊𝑒𝑏𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑒