Oceanus Conservation is dedicated to empowering coastal communities as they take on a crucial role in safeguarding marine ecosystems. Through Project MaSANAYAN—short for Mangrove and Seagrass Advocacy for Nurturing Awareness and Youth Action in Nature—Oceanus, in partnership with the Rumah Foundation, is supporting local conservation efforts in key coastal areas across the Philippines.

Building Local Conservation Capacity

The project aims to strengthen the capacity of community leaders and youth advocates in coastal towns such as Aringay, La Union; Bais City, Negros Oriental; and Cagwait, Surigao del Sur, equipping them with essential skills to monitor and protect blue carbon habitats like mangroves and seagrass. By involving both experienced community leaders and passionate young individuals, Project MaSANAYAN fosters long-term coastal resilience and biodiversity preservation.

Training Initiatives Across Key Coastal Regions

In February 2025, the project officially launched in Dulao, Aringay, where local leaders and youth scholars participated in training sessions focused on mangrove monitoring. Community leaders Bliz Lacadue and Jocelyn Yaranon, along with youth scholars Dhenver Yaranon and Angielyn De Castro, learned how to assess and restore mangrove sites to support coastal ecosystems.

The initiative progressed in March 2025 with Participatory Coastal Resource Assessment Training in Talabong Island, Bais City, which is a key area of the Tañon Strait Protected Seascape (TSPS), the largest seascape in the Philippines. This session introduced local fisherfolk leaders, such as Mr. Nickyboy Torres, Mr. Rexcel Pausal, and Mr. Lito Torres, to scientific methods for monitoring mangrove and seagrass health. Their involvement represented a significant step toward community-led conservation. Alongside them, our youth scholars and trainees from Cipriano Alcala Memorial Integrated School participated, ensuring that young advocates gained hands-on experience in coastal protection.

By April 2025, the project expanded to Cagwait, Surigao del Sur, aligning with local government efforts to establish a Marine Protected Area (MPA) network in Barangay Lactudan, Barangay Tawagan, and Arangasa Island. Women leaders such as Genalyn Carugda, Alejanda Garay, and Marivic Quijda played a pivotal role in advancing conservation strategies. Their contributions highlighted the importance of women in marine stewardship, an area that Oceanus continues to champion. Alongside them, youth scholars Ken Ian Dialde and Ella Marie Dela Cruz actively participated, bringing fresh perspectives and ideas to local conservation efforts.

Looking ahead, youth scholars will organize a community event in August 2025, where they will share their learnings and encourage greater participation in marine conservation. This event will not only reflect their journey but also inspire more individuals to take an active role in environmental stewardship. Oceanus believes in bridging the gap between scientific knowledge and local action, ensuring that coastal communities have the tools they need to protect their own resources.

Sustaining Long-Term Conservation Efforts

To ensure the sustainability of these initiatives, Oceanus Conservation has involved community leaders for long-term monitoring through December 2025. Their involvement will be instrumental in maintaining the integrity of mangrove and seagrass restoration efforts, reinforcing local conservation efforts. By equipping these leaders with the necessary tools and knowledge, Oceanus ensures that marine resources remain protected by the very communities that rely on them.

Why Project MaSANAYAN Matters

Project MaSANAYAN is a long-term effort to build local communities’ capacity in marine conservation. In collaboration with the Rumah Foundation and various community organizations, Oceanus is fostering leadership, environmental awareness, and scientific literacy to help people take ownership of their coastal ecosystems. By making science more accessible and creating opportunities for youth leadership, the project paves the way for a stronger, more sustainable future for Philippine coastal communities.

Oceanus Conservation is deeply grateful for the unwavering support from those involved in this initiative. Through collective efforts, Project MaSANAYAN is making meaningful strides toward safeguarding marine environments. Oceanus believes that when communities lead the charge in conservation, real, lasting change happens—ensuring that future generations inherit thriving coastal ecosystems.

Stay tuned for more updates on Project MaSANAYAN!