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A vision of saving

coastal communities

CESTEEPH CESTEEPH is a comprehensive community development program. It focuses on ecological
CSU witnessed the sea’s cry for help and the community’s silent scream of desperation due
to poverty and climate change hazards. This alarming scenario gave birth to the CESTEEPH
Program.

development of poor and climate change vulnerable communities in Gonzaga, Cagayan. It
utilizes integrated package of Science and Technology interventions along community- based
livelihood, education, environment protection and health.

It is a collaborative program that involves both public and private national sectors:
Department of Science and Technology, Department of Environment and Natural Resources,
Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Local Government Unit-Gonzaga, National Book
Store, and the Fisherfolk Associations of Caroan, Tapel and San Jose Gonzaga, Cagayan. It
also gets support from international institutions like the SEAMEO BIOTROP Southeast
Asian Regional Center for Tropical Biology and Good FellowPharma Corporation.

Mangrove Propagation and Planting are seasonal activities for all CESTEEPH beneficiaries
in Caroan and Tapel, Gonzaga, Cagayan. Members look for mangrove propagules, nurture
them in the nursery established, and count for days before the propagules become ready for
transplanting. To date, 5.24 hectares of the mangrove areas in Caroan and Tapel, Gonzaga,
Cagayan have been rehabilitated with 105,000 mangrove propagules and 3,500 nipa seedlings.

With CESTEEPH, community empowerment is amplified. This is reflected through the
participation of community members in organizations and productive ventures.

Since its birth in 2018, its economic, environmental and ecological benefits have been
recognized in the local, regional and national levels. Indeed, CSU’s vision of saving the
mangrove communities in Gonzaga started with CESTEEPH. With the establishment of
Mangrove Sanctuary, marine biodiversity and fisherfolks’ income will increase and mangrove
conservation will be more promoted.
Dr. Janice M. Sistoza Scan to watch
Associate Professor, CSU-Gonzaga “A Story of Hope: Saving

the MANGROVES of
Cagayan, Philippines” 43