²ÝÁñÊÓƵ of Santo Tomas Graduate School Center for Conservation of Cultural Property and Environment in the Tropics (UST GS CCCPET), together with the UST College of Science Department of Biological Sciences, proposed a program on the assessment, inventory, and biological field surveys of flora and fauna in selected sites at Samar Island Natural Park (SINP) to its Protected Area Management Board (SINP-PAMB) Committee onÌýBiodiversity Conservation and Monitoring on August 10, 2021, via Zoom.
The project is a vital component of the continued assistance of the CCCPET in preparing the nomination dossier for the SINP’s bid to become a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Asst. Prof. Mae Lowe L. Diesmos presented the fieldwork requirements for the Fauna team while Prof. Cecilia B. Moran, Dr. rer. nat., represented the Flora team.
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The threefold objective of the fieldwork aims to document and update the species diversity of flora and fauna of SINP; to establish science-based data that will support the application of SINP as a UNESCO World Heritage Natural Site; and to recommend a policy on the conservation and protection of SINP ecosystems and its biodiversity resources.
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For this project, the UST team will field 28 scientists from the Biological Sciences with expertise in flora and fauna together with research and field assistants from the UST College of Science and University of the Philippines Los Baños. The team leaders are Prof. Dr. Cecilia B. Moran, Asst. Prof. Mae Lowe L. Diesmos, Prof. Dr. Grecebio Jonathan D. Alejandro, and Mr. Jorge Anton Ordas.
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This project is in collaboration with the Office of Congresswoman Sharee Ann Tan, Office of Congressman Feliciano Noel, Department of Tourism Region 8, Department of Environment and Natural Resources Region 8, Office of the Governor-Samar, Office of the Governor- Northern Samar, and the Office of the Governor-Eastern Samar.Ìý
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