CSU, DENR-R02 SIGN MOA FOR APARRI MARINE SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH STATION

Cagayan State University (CSU) entered into a Memorandum of Agreement with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Regional Office II (DENR-RO2) today, December 16, 2025, to jointly implement the Marine Scientific Research Station (MSRS) Program in Aparri, Cagayan.

The agreement was signed by CSU Officer-in-Charge University President Arthur G. Ibañez and DENR-RO2 Executive Director Dr. Gwendolyn C. Bambalan, institutionalizing cooperation between the academe and government in support of marine science, research, and conservation.

Pursuant to the MOA, CSU will collaborate with DENR-RO2 in crafting a comprehensive MSRS research agenda aligned with national development priorities and international environmental commitments. The University will also contribute academic oversight in facility development and lead capability-building, training, and outreach programs.

The establishment of the MSRS strengthens DENR-RO2’s regional marine protection initiatives while expanding CSU’s research and extension footprint in coastal governance, sustainability, and innovation.

The signing was witnessed by Dr. Audy R. Quebral, Executive Officer of CSU–Aparri Campus, and Mr. Enrique Q. Passion, OIC Assistant Regional Director for Technical Services of DENR-RO2.

Strategically located along the northern Philippine Sea, the Aparri MSRS will serve as a hub for marine and coastal research, climate monitoring, and community collaboration. It will generate scientific data to support marine conservation, habitat restoration, and sustainable resource management, particularly in addressing climate-related risks. The facility will also function as a shared learning space with laboratories and training areas for scientists, local governments, and coastal communities.