Students, faculty, staff, and alumni of Carlos Hilado Memorial State University (CHMSU) rose early to join the Philippine College of Physicians (PCP) Negros Occidental Chapter and the Negros Women for Tomorrow Foundation, Inc. (NWTF) in planting 35,000 mangrove seedlings in Brgy. Balaring, Silay City on October 4, 2026.
Twenty-eight CHMSUan volunteers took part in the eighth edition of the annual “Tug-an” Mangrove Planting Program of PCP NegOcc in partnership with NWTF.
CIER / Keith Brandon Cari-an & Ethan Suelto photos
Tug-an is PCP NegOcc’s environmental sustainability and reforestation program in the province. This is the second year that Tug-an has been held in Silay in collaboration with NWTF as part of the foundation’s 1 Million Trees campaign.
The CHMSU volunteers were led by Rhoderick Samonte, Director for Internationalization and External Relations; Ana Mary Ann Pancho, Director for Gender and Development; and Yrika Marie Dusaran, Director for Quality Management.
CHMSU’s active participation was coordinated through the Center for Internationalization and External Relations.
Also planting the bungalon seedlings were members of the local community of Brgy. Balaring, along with students from the Technological University of the Philippines Visayas (TUPV) and Dr. Albino and Doña Dolores Jison Integrated School (DADDJIS).
CIER / Keith Brandon Cari-an & Ethan Suelto photos
Medical doctors and staff from the Negros Occidental Medical Society, Canlaon Medical Society – Negros Occidental, Philippine Pediatric Society – Negros Occidental Chapter, Philippine Society of Nephrology – Negros Occidental Chapter, Riverside Medical Center, Philippine College of Chest Physicians, Philippine Obstetrical and Gynecological Society, Philippine Society for Microbiology and Infectious Diseases – Western Visayas Chapter, and Drugmen of Negros also joined the activity.
NWTF program managers Princess Balaan, Via Alisbo, April Grace Zapater, and Rojean Tiñgal led the program for the foundation.
Before the planting, NWTF and PCP Negros Occidental turned over school supplies to the DADDJIS faculty. After the planting, NWTF held a brief session on cyber hygiene for individuals and families.
CIER / Keith Brandon Cari-an & Ethan Suelto photos
