The event is part of ongoing efforts to address the environmental issues affecting the Butuanon River, specifically pollution and flooding caused by poor solid waste management.

Under the guidance of faculty mentors, civil engineering students presented proposals to officials from seven barangays in Cebu City and Mandaue City, namely Alang-alang, Bacayan, Paknaan, Pulangbato, San Jose, Tingub, and Tabok. The plans were based on site visits, consultations, and assessments from the previous year.

Ten student groups were assigned to specific sitios to present findings. The teams returned to their assigned barangays to explain practical, community-based strategies for waste reduction and ecosystem rehabilitation.

As part of the formal turnover, students provided representatives with technical reports and informational posters. These materials serve as references for local government units considering future environmental initiatives.

Barangay officials welcomed the research-based solutions. Organizers said the activity strengthened the partnership between ��������, local government units, and community stakeholders while raising awareness on responsible waste management.

Through the River Scan program, the �������� Civil Engineering Department continues to link academic learning with environmental action, providing data-driven recommendations to restore the health of the Butuanon River.

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At its core, Service-Learning (SL) is an educational approach that integrates academic knowledge with meaningful community engagement. It enables students to apply what they learned in the classroom to address real-world issues, encouraging critical reflection, leadership, and active citizenship. The SLSF 2025 built on this framework, immersing participants in a transformative journey that blends service, advocacy, and intercultural collaboration, with the following objectives:

• Cultivate a dynamic pool of student leaders through skills workshops and leadership formation;
• Establish a vibrant student network to champion SL initiatives in their institutions; 
• Deepen commitment to social justice through direct community engagement; and 
• Encourage reflection on justice, peace, and sustainability through workshops and dialogue.

Throughout the week, student fellows engaged in a rich curriculum combining SL theory, intercultural competency training, community visits, and hands-on project implementation. One of the program’s highlights was the community immersion in SVD-partner communities in Bankal, Lapu-Lapu City, and Sitio Miramar, Talisay City, where students addressed pressing local needs through targeted initiatives.

In Sitio Miramar, the Education and Community Leadership theme cluster introduced B.A.S.I.C. Care, an interactive hygiene education program for children and youth. Sessions focused on handwashing, menstrual hygiene, grooming, and oral care—responding to community-identified health challenges. Other activities included financial literacy workshops, team-building exercises, and the formation of women’s self-help groups aimed at empowering local residents.

Meanwhile, in Bankal, participants facilitated workshops on mosquito-borne disease prevention, teaching residents how to make natural repellents from lemongrass. They also introduced the concept of cooperatives, highlighting their benefits and potential to drive economic growth through collective action.

Students from ��������’s Interior Design and Psychology programs collaborated with community members to paint vibrant murals (see photo above) that celebrate local identity and aspirations. These public artworks now serve as visual symbols of unity, shared values, and community pride.

More than just a training ground, SLSF 2025 was a launchpad for sustainable change. Students developed action plans to bring SL initiatives back to their respective institutions, ensuring a ripple effect from the fellowship extends far beyond Cebu.

Organized by ��������’s Community Extension Service in partnership with DLSU’s UA&ORH, the event exemplified how integrated learning and service can nurture responsible, compassionate leaders ready to tackle today’s social and environmental challenges.

The week concluded with a culminating get-together (see photo above) celebrating not only the friendships and networks built but also the shared purpose of creating a more just, inclusive, and compassionate world.

As the 2025 fellows return home, they carry with them not only the lessons of service-learning but the conviction that even small actions can lead to powerful, lasting change.

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With their entrepreneurial project, “Ohhh-Lango – Paglayag sa Islang Olango,” the Carolinian team received the following awards: 

• Best in Pitching
• People’s Choice (Runner-Up) 
• Ecotourism Award (Runner-Up) 
• Most Promising Project (Runner-Up)

Their sustainable eco-tourism project intends to transform Olango Island into an interactive adventure, where tourists become the main characters in a living storybook as they explore nature-rich and culturally significant locations on the island. The project blends storytelling, real-world interaction, and technology like photo recognition to enhance learning and discovery.

The winning team was coached and mentored by the �������� ECOViP team, composed of Engr. Fritz Nichole Abad, Vicente S. Maravilla Jr., Ph.D., Ethel D. Catamco, Ph.D., Demetrio S. Anticuando, Jannalou L. Resos, Ph.D., Julie Otadoy, Ph.D., and Gran Sabandal.  
ECOViP is a project co-funded by the European Commission and coordinated by Nha Trang University, which aims to develop entrepreneurial and innovation capacities for sustainable development in tourism in Vietnam and the Philippines. The University of San Carlos is one of the six (6) universities that form part of the consortium from both Philippines and Vietnam. �������� also serves as the national coordinator in the Philippines.

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The students partnered with licensed professionals and residents of Balay Samaritano, a daytime shelter for individuals experiencing street-based living in Cebu City. 

The inauguration was attended by its generous partners, Interior Design faculty members, Department of Architecture Chair Ar. Adrian Yap, School of Architecture, Fine Arts and Design (SAFAD) Dean Dr. Adrian Del Monte, Jovie Sabanal, Sr. Lina Budiningsih, Justice, Peace & Integrity of Creation-Integrated Development Center, Inc. (JPIC-IDC) Executive Director Carmencita Alviola, and SVD Provincial Supervisor, Fr. Rogelio Bag-ao, SVD.

In the spirit of service learning, from its conceptual and developmental stages with Batch 2023 and 2024, and now the graduating Batch 2025 of fourth-year, Interior Design students collaborated to improve key spaces within the facility, encompassing both common and wet areas.

Common areas—including the entrance/foyer, hallway, storage room, clinic, and multipurpose area—were refreshed through wall repainting that brightened and elevated the environment. Mural artworks also added vibrant storytelling to the space, while essential upgrades like improved lighting, additional electric fans, and safer electrical fixtures increased comfort and utility.

Meanwhile, wet areas—such as the male and female comfort rooms, PWD toilet and bath, classroom A CR, kitchen, pantry, and washing area—underwent enhancements that prioritized hygiene and accessibility. These included retiling, repainting, fixture installation, and layout adjustments to support daily use and maintenance.

The project showed community-centered design practices, where participatory planning and reflective dialogue shaped the outcome. Every decision aimed to affirm the dignity of the shelter’s users and support their everyday experience.

For our Interior Design students, the Dayon Kamo Project was more than an academic undertaking—it was an experience of collaborative and in-service learning. It deepened their capacity for empathy-driven design, critical thinking, and professional growth alongside the community they served.

With reporting from the Interior Design Program

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At the heart of this collaboration is Punta Engaño Elementary School, the primary beneficiary of the joint initiative called “Education with a Mission.” 

The partnership aims to strengthen community resilience and uplift quality of life through improved school facilities, community learning sessions, and strategic programs aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); particularly Quality Education (SDG 4), Sustainable Communities (SDG 11), and Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17).

Signing the Memorandum of Agreement were: Dave Junker, General Manager of Shangri-La Mactan, and Fr. Francisco Antonio T. Estepa, SVD, Ph.D. President of the University of San Carlos. The witnesses to the signing included Lotlot Dagat (Financial Controller of MacSHRI), Fr. Jesuraj Antoniappen, SVD, Ph.D. (�������� Vice President for Academic Affairs), and Bonifacio “Jon” Mercado, Jr., Ph.D. (�������� Director for Community Extension Services).

This collaboration underscores the transformative power of partnerships between academe and industry, advancing sustainable development and promoting education with a mission from the classroom to the broader community.

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The “Movabin” is a cylindrical dumper with wheels and a handle (see below), allowing residents to transport waste even through narrow passageways. This was the proposed solution of the winning team of the 2024 Metro Cebu River Scan Challenge, designed to address the challenge of collecting garbage from homes far from designated collection points.

Earlier this year, the Civil Engineering department initiated a donation drive and students from ��������’s School of Engineering gave their generous contribution to finance the fabrication of the movabins. Once the budget was secured, student volunteers from the ME Council, including Airam Gian Navasques, Kristin Anne Margarethe Allanaraiz, Celso Raphael Seno, Alyssa Tutor, and Ia Nikka Paclibar, led the fabrication of the movabins. They were assisted by the volunteers from the CE Council Catherine Aquino, Aerin Meg Dela Cruz, and Christian Paol Dinopol.

Before the handover, �������� and Barangay Tingub, headed by Hon. Mario Bihag, formalized their partnership by signing a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA). The MOA outlines the purpose and responsibilities of each party in ensuring the sustainability and proper use of the movabins. This partnership is part of ��������’s Community Extension Services (CES). 

Hon. Mario Bihag expressed his gratitude to �������� for stepping in to help with the barangay’s issues. He emphasized that this project is not just a one-time donation, but the start of a continuing partnership between the University and the local government.

After the MOA signing, the team personally handed over the Movabins to the leaders of two sitios within Brgy. Tingub (see below). The sitio leaders gratefully accepted and committed to use the equipment to improve waste collection and cleanliness in their respective areas.

The activity was attended by faculty members from both departments. From Civil Engineering: Engr. Janice B. Jamora (Chairperson), Engr. Monica Ann Louise J. Intong (Asst. Chairperson), Engr. Diosfer L. Ledesma (CES Representative), and Engr. Jasmine Nasara. From Mechanical Engineering: Engr. Rab Azel Barredo, Engr. Harold Papaya, Engr. Ronald Francis Bacor, and Engr. Jose Arvin Tordillo. Also, the Dutch professors Prof. Rick Heikoop and Prof. Jeanine Klinkenberg, along with CES student volunteers from both CE and ME Councils. Denzel Montuya is also one of the original members of last year’s winning team who joined the activity.

Thanks to the joint efforts of ��������’s Civil and Mechanical Engineering Departments, a small but meaningful step has been taken toward a cleaner Butuanon River and a more sustainable Cebu.

With reporting from Engr. Monica Ann Louise Intong, Department of Civil Engineering

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The two-week environmental initiative, headed by the �������� Office of External Relations and Internationalization (OERI) and the Office of Community Extension Services (CES), brought together students from the �������� departments of Civil Engineering, Political Science, Architecture, and Anthropology, Sociology, and History. A total of 316 Filipino students from the four departments and 13 Dutch students participated in the 7th River Scan, forming 12 teams assigned to 12 different sitios along the Butuanon River. 

The event was not just fieldwork but also a learning experience. It consisted of a series of lectures by the professors from RUAS and HUAS, as well as from partner Local Government Units (LGUs) and NGOs. There were also consultations on the draft proposals, a visit to Gilutongan Island involving the Dutch partners through the generous support of Shangri-la Mactan Cebu, and a culminating program.

The lecture series provided students with valuable insights into waste management, environmental sustainability, and community engagement. The resource speakers were: 

• Engr. Myka Marie Llanos (Environmental Management Specialist of CCENRO)
• Ar. Socorro Atega (CUSW)
• Prof. Floris Boogard (HUAS) 
• Prof. Rick Heikoop (RUAS)
• Jovelyn Dotillos (MCENRO)
• Engr. Aure Flo A. Oraya (PICE National Director)
• Ma. Emma A. Ramas (Alternate Chairman of the Cebu City Ecological Solid Waste Management Board)
• Engr. Janito J. Ubal (Project Manager of FEPA Engineering Service)
• Dr. Belmore S. Mejares (PICE President – Cebu Chapter)
• Ed Karlon Rama (Chairman of the Cebu City River Management Council).
• Fr. Romeo Cagatin, SVD

During the two-day field work, students went to their assigned area and conducted surveys and gathered baseline data from residents living within three meters of the river. The same location or sitios from last year’s River Scan were visited to maintain continuity and to track progress. 

The sitios were located across seven barangays, namely: 

• Cebu City Barangays
  • Pulangbato
  • San Jose
  • Bacayan

• Mandaue City Barangays
  • Tingub
  • Tabok
  • Paknaan
  • Alang-alang

Through the socio-economic survey, students gained an understanding of the severity of environmental issues in these communities. The goal remained focused on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 11, which aims to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. The teams eventually crafted feasible, innovative, and low-cost solutions that are sure to benefit the communities.

The event concluded with a culminating activity held at the Bunzel Building (morning session, see photo above) and at the SAFAD Theater (afternoon session) on May 2, 2025. Each team pitched their proposed solutions and presented their videos and posters to the jurors. Evaluation was divided based on river sections (upstream, midstream, and downstream):

• Upstream: Jurors from the �������� Water Resources Center – Engr. Maria Nenita Jumao-as (�������� WRC Director), Engr. Melvin Raymund Dangin, and Engr. Emmanuel Nicholas James Labuen
• Midstream: Jurors from Civil Engineering Department – Engr. Noel Navasca (System Administrator), Engr. Sam Kenneth Formentera (CE Alumnus and CMT Lab In-charge), and Engr. Gio Dean Dolotina (former Riverscan Facilitator and ERDT Scholar)
• Downstream: Jurors from Mechanical Engineering Department – Engr. Lucy Aehr and Engr. Yanni Duma-og, and the Civil Engineering Department – Engr. Alexandria Longos (CE Alumna)

Out of the 12 teams, three finalists were chosen: Teams 5, 10, and 12. They advanced to the afternoon session, where they presented their proposed solutions to a new panel of jurors. In the end, Team 12 won the Best in Video award, while Team 5 received the Best in Poster and Pitch awards. 

Both teams addressed the problem of solid waste. Team 12 proposed BITBIN, a portable waste collection system, along with localized Materials Recovery Facilities (MRFs). Meanwhile, Team 5 proposed the use of compost bins with black soldier flies for organic waste management.

Overall, the event was a huge success, thanks to the collaborative efforts of the different departments and offices of University of San Carlos, the Dutch partners, and the support of the officials from the barangays and the cities of Cebu and Mandaue, and Shangri-la Mactan Cebu. This initiative brings the Butuanon River one step closer to a cleaner and more sustainable future.

With reporting from Engr. Monica Anne Louis J. Intong, M.S., Department of Civil Engineering

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�������� Civil Engineering students, under the supervision of the faculty members and graduate students of the Department, presented the proposed solutions for the river rehabilitation to the officials from barangays Bacayan, Pulangbato, and San Jose in Cebu City and barangays Alang-Alang, Paknaan, Tingub, and Tabok in Mandaue City. 

Each solution was designed to address the critical issues affecting the Butuanon River, with the dual purpose of restoring the waterway and improving the lives of the communities living alongside the river. This activity took place after a series of meetings and planning as part of the River Scan Challenge. The event marks a significant milestone in the attempt to restore the Butuanon River, which was once considered dead due to pollution. 

Representatives from the 12 groups returned to their assigned barangay to present these solutions and hand them over to the barangay officials or representatives, which include addressing local concerns such as flooding, water scarcity, poor waste management, and water contamination. 

Some of the proposed solutions also included innovative interventions like the Movabin, Aerator System, Sandbag Weir, Bira-Bira sa Basura, Cable Can, Bypass Canal, and Gabion Dam.

The students symbolically handed over these solutions via tarpaulins and fliers that contained the following documents: 

• Community meeting reports;
• ArcGIS story map; 
• Research report and solution proposal;
• Digital copy of the tarpaulin; 
• Photos during the ocular visit; and 
• A video presenting a more detailed explanation of the said problem and solution. 

Barangay officials expressed their appreciation for the efforts of the students, in taking the initiative on these proposed solutions, describing them as promising steps towards addressing the issues along the Butuanon River. Many of them remarked, however, that budget constraints could be a challenge in implementing these solutions.

Overall, the activity was a huge success, thanks to the collaborative efforts of the Local Government Units of Cebu City and Mandaue City and the Civil Engineering Department of the University of San Carlos. This initiative brings the Butuanon River one step closer to a cleaner and more sustainable future.

With reporting from the Department of Civil Engineering

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The National Federation Officers took an oath of office before Director Patrick P. Patriwirawan, Jr., CESO III, Bureau of Local Employment, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). 

As the newly elected president, Dr. Mercado will be at the forefront of ensuring “the continuity and effectiveness of career guidance and development initiatives across the country.” 

In addition, the new set of officers will also be the lead focal persons for the implementation of the Career Development Support (CDS) initiatives among schools, colleges, and universities. This is in coordination with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Regional Offices, Public Employment Service Offices (PESOs), Human Resource Practitioners, the Commission on Higher on Higher Education (CHED), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Department of Education (DepEd), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), and other relevant stakeholders. 

According to the DOLE, FCGANP “plays a vital role in helping individuals navigate the job market, ensuring they can secure suitable employment and identify the right training opportunities that align with their career aspirations.” 

Dr. Mercado, together with the other officers from different schools, colleges, and universities in the Philippines, will serve a three-year term.

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The event involved several collaborators and partners from the Local Government Units (LGUs) of the cities of Cebu and Mandaue, their respective Environment and Natural Resources departments (CCENRO, MCENRO), the Environmental Management Bureau Regional Office VII, the Department of Public Works and Highways Regional Office VII, the Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD), Cebu Uniting for Sustainable Water Foundation (CUSW), Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers (PICE), and the Shangri-La Hotel and Resort. 

The two-week event was a pressure-cooker type of activity with around 210 Filipino student-participants coming from the three departments and 21 Dutch students. The students were grouped into 12 teams and each group was assigned to 12 different stations along the Butuanon River to conduct a community walk and a community meeting. The Cebu City barangays visited by the teams were Barangays Pulangbato, San Jose, and Bacayan. The teams also visited Barangays Tingub, Tabok, Paknaan, and Alang-Alang in Mandaue City. 

As opposed to the past five River Scan Challenges which centered on measuring the degree of river pollution and pinpointing its sources, this year’s river scan challenge focused on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 11, which is on making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. 

Knowing that people still reside near the forbidden three-meter easement zones of the Butuanon River, they are the ones most vulnerable to flash floods, diseases, and heat waves. 

The 12 teams immersed themselves in these communities and investigated the identification of the root cause of the problems experienced by the residents living near the river and thought of feasible, innovative, and low-technology solutions with the community through a community meeting. 

The River Scan Challenge consists of a series of lectures by the professors from ��������, RUAS and HUAS, and from its partner LGUs and NGOs, a two-day fieldwork to the different stations along the Butuanon River during the first week, consultation of their draft proposals to solve the identified problems with the local and international experts, and finally a culminating program. 

The speakers who graced the lecture sessions were Kay G. Espinosa (DENR Environmental Bureau Management), Engr. Faustino dela Cruz (DPWH Regional Office), Reymarr Hijarra (Head, CCENRO), Engr. Myka Llanos (CCENRO), Ar. Araceli Barlam (Head, MCENRO), Jovelyn Dotillos (MCENRO), Engr. Aure Flo Oraya (PICE National Director), Engr. Emmanuel Espina (MCWD), Ar. Soccoro Atega (CUSW), Prof. Eric Boer and Prof. Floris Boogaard (HUAS), Prof. Rick Heikoop (RUAS), Engr. Janice Jamora (Chair, �������� Department of Civil Engineering), Engr. Kathrina Borgonia (Assistant Chair, �������� Department of Civil Engineering), Fr. Romeo Cagatin, SVD, Fr. Francisco Antonio T. Estepa, SVD (�������� President), and Brenette Abrenica (Director, External Relations and Internationalization Office). 

The culminating activity of River Scan Challenge 2024 took place on April 25, 2024 at the Michael Richartz Conference Hall. It consisted of a gallery presentation in the morning, where each of the teams pitched their solutions and presented their story videos and posters to the first batch of jurors. 

After the gallery presentation, the top four team finalists were selected. The finalists then pitched their solutions one last time to a selected set of jurors coming from various stakeholders including representatives from LGUs, NGOs, and the communities. The top four finalists were Teams 4, 5, 6 and 10. 

After the deliberation, Team 4, or the Water Warriors team, was the overall winner of the poster and pitch competition. They bagged the Best in Video, Best in Pitch, and Best in Poster awards. 

The said team proposed the Movabins, a simple piece of equipment made of a cylindrical dumpster with two wheels and a handle that can be used to move solid waste even on very narrow roads. It addresses the problem of solid waste collection for those people with houses that are located far from the garbage collection point.  

Because of the distance, people admitted to throwing their waste directly to the nearby river. The proposed solution was straightforward, low-technology, and feasible. It was received positively by the jurors. 

The members of Team 4 (see photo above, used with permission) were Ischa Meer van Der, Jager Sven, Rod Michael Aquino, Lisandra Jane Dumas, Zyxel Avila, Norma Amit, Judd Sydney Gonzales, Ritche Milliard Sacmar, Jerald Caballero, Uriel Capondag, Taneza Mae Bontilao, Denzel Montuya, Alezandra Zey Mahinay, Kiara Lee Jadulco, Dby Kastel Saco, Stacey Karel Cang, Ira Benedict Bebita,  Jennifer Elizabeth Robb, Lucky N Roda, Nathan Jon Russell, Karl Josef Son, Oscar Francis Tan,  Mary Trixie Villamor, and Sheena Dirkinova Ala.

by Engr. Kathrina Marie Borgonia, Department of Civil Engineering

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