03/09/2026
Training-Workshop on Mangrove Mapping & Remote Sensing - Eyes from Above, Roots Below at Pagpanghimanwa 3.0
September 2, 2026ใ
ฃBrackishwater Aquaculture Center, Brgy. Nabitasan, Leganes, Iloilo
Held in celebration of the 79th Anniversary of the UP Presence in Iloilo, Pagpanghimanwa 3.0 - with the theme โPaghiliugyon para sa Kauswaganโ - brought together the College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences and the Municipality of Leganes for a day of learning, sharing, and empowerment. Among the eventโs key activities was the Training-Workshop on Mangrove Mapping and Remote Sensing, led by the Institute of Marine Fisheries and Oceanology (IMFO) - turning science into practical tools for the community.
This highly anticipated session combined classroom discussion with actual fieldwork right among the mangroves. Participants started with a lecture introducing the importance of mangrove ecosystems and the basics of coastal resource management - followed by a demonstration of mobile apps for weather and tide monitoring, a session on mangrove photography covering techniques for documenting these vital resources, and an overview of GPS familiarization. Then, they headed outdoors to put their newly acquired skills into practiceโusing a GPS map camera to document mangrove leaves, trunks, fruits, and other features for species identification, while operating a handheld GPS device to record the locations of different mangrove species. The final activity focused on hands-on mapping in QGIS, where they visualized and mapped the data they had collected in the field.
Through guided activities, attendees reviewed identifying mangrove species in their natural habitat - observing leaves, roots and other features which served as a foundation to learn skills on mangrove mapping fundamentals, on-site data recording and visualizing how these coastal forests are distributed across the landscape. It wasnโt just about looking at maps; it was about giving people the skills to observe, measure, and care for the natural resources they live beside every day.
We are grateful for the active participation and partnership of fisherfolk representatives, together with the MENRO, MAO and MPDO under the Local Government Unit of Leganes, Iloilo. Their presence and collaboration strengthened the workshop, bridging institutional expertise with local governance and on-the-ground stewardship.
Pagpanghimanwa 3.0 embodied โPaghiliugyon para sa Kauswaganโ - unity toward progress. The Institute of Marine Fisheries and Oceanology brought technical expertise; the community shared local wisdom. Together, we built something stronger. Progress is not measured only by what we know - but what we share: science met local wisdom, technology met stewardship, and experts met community. We did more than map mangroves - we mapped a shared future rooted in knowledge, unity, and care. This is the true spirit of Paghiliugyon para sa Kauswagan: when we stand together, we protect together, and we prosper together.
Photos and Text by: Julius Lacsamana
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