WVSU student leaders join France–PH oceans event

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West Visayas State University (WVSU) strengthened its global climate action engagement as its DagYoung Student Ambassadors (DSA) participated in the France–Philippines Blue Nations Initiative and Youth & Oceans Program celebration on Dec. 3, 2025, at Makati Diamond Residences.

The high-level event marked the culmination of a two-year France–Philippines partnership focused on advancing marine conservation and youth-led climate action.

Organized in honor of the 10th anniversary of the Paris Agreement (COP21), the gathering highlighted milestones of the Blue Nations Initiative and the Youth & Oceans Program, which supported 11 civil society projects across the Philippines.

Representing WVSU were DSA Chairperson Aihrich M. Toreres, Special Projects Coordinator Johnric G. Vargas, and Education and Training Coordinator Amabela Fiona Le B. Benid. The delegation showcased Sanctuarium Maris, WVSU’s flagship marine conservation project.

“This is the product sang training we offered sa Tigbauan, Iloilo under the funding of the Embassy of France,” a representative from the university said.

The Sanctuarium Maris project is funded by the Embassy of France to the Philippines and Micronesia and is led by student ambassadors under the university’s International and Local Linkages Office (ILLO).

Since its launch in January 2025, the project has delivered a range of capacity-building efforts for the Tigbauan coastal community, including training in sea turtle biology, conservation and rescue protocols, artificial nest net-making, and nest protection simulations.

It also facilitated a legislative workshop on drafting local environmental ordinances aimed at strengthening grassroots conservation policies.

A key outcome of the initiative is the passage of Barangay Atabayan Ordinance No. 2025-004, titled “An Ordinance Creating a Sea Turtle Nest Protection Program, Providing Guidelines for Conservation and Appropriating Funds Thereof.”

The ordinance, developed with guidance from the WVSU College of Law, established a formal legal framework supporting sea turtle conservation along Tigbauan’s coastline.

“Ang amon kabataan nga behind sini nga project nagjoin sa discussion sang high-level people sa oceans and climate change topics,” the university added.

During the program, French Ambassador to the Philippines Marie Fontanel reaffirmed France’s commitment to deeper bilateral cooperation, especially ahead of France’s G7 Chairmanship in 2026.

The WVSU team also met Brazilian Ambassador Gilberto Fonseca Guimarães de Moura, who expressed his support for youth-led conservation and coastal protection programs.

The event ended with a Cocktail and Civil Society Networking Session, where WVSU presented visibility materials and project outputs, underscoring its role in youth-driven marine and climate initiatives.

Through its continued participation in international environmental platforms, WVSU reaffirmed its mission to empower local leaders and student advocates committed to sustainable development and resilient communities.