LCUP Community Extension - Mother Rita Barcelo Caritas Center

06/08/2026

“In the One, we are One” - Pope Leo XIV

06/08/2026

La Consolacion University Philippines (LCUP) Basic Education Department – Senior High School, through the Social Sciences and Humanities Area, launched its community outreach project, "Fish-Be-With-U," by donating more than 7,000 tilapia fingerlings to fisherfolk in Calumpit, Bulacan on August 6, 2026. The turnover was led by Sr. Evangeline B. Algaba, OSA, Principal, together with Sr. Flora Mae E. Vallejera, OSA, Assistant to the Vice President for Spiritual Formation and Extension.

The initiative promotes sustainable aquaculture as an alternative livelihood for fishing families whose income is often affected by typhoons and the changing conditions of the Angat River. By providing tilapia fingerlings, LCUP aims to strengthen community resilience, support food security, and reaffirm its commitment to community engagement through programs that create lasting social and economic benefits.

25/07/2026

July 24–25, 2026 | Day 1 & 2
Alternative Education BSSW Program – Subject: Social Work with Groups
Activity: Group Profiling and Assessment of SamBangka

Our BSSW students conducted community entry, data gathering (through home visitations and key informant interviews), and community mapping — yesterday in Brgy. Sto. Niño and today in Brgy. Sucol.

Their goal is to assist the samahan in preparing their group profile report, as well as to reassess the members’ active participation, the group’s current stage of development, status, and needs. This also helps the students put into practice what they have learned in their subject, deepening their understanding of the process and the different stages of group development.

15/07/2026

15/07/2026

Heads Up! 🌿 UNIVERSITY GARDENING ZONE & CLEAN-UP DAY – July 17, 2026.

Let's work together to keep our campus green, toxics-free, and sustainable! Join the University Gardening Zone & Clean-Up Day on Friday, July 17, 2026, and help make our university a cleaner, healthier, and more beautiful place for everyone. Create your free time any moment between 3:00 PM and 5:00 PM for planting, gardening, and cleaning the designated green-zones. Together, let's live our shared commitment that "Daigdig: Ang Tahanan Natin." Every small act of caring for our environment creates a lasting impact on our community and supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Also, remember to conserve energy by turning on air conditioners in your classrooms and offices only at 8:30 AM. Join us and be part of the change—because a cleaner campus starts with each one of us! 🌱💚

11/07/2026

LCUP MPA Students Help SAMBANGKA Ratify By-Laws and Mount Donation Drive for Calumpit Fisherfolk

MALOLOS, BULACAN — The Graduate School - MPA of La Consolacion University Philippines (LCUP) successfully helped SAMBANGKA finalize its Constitution and By-Laws, while simultaneously holding "Tulong Agustino: A Donation Drive for the Sambangka Community" today, July 11, from 8:00 AM to 12:00 NN at the LCUP Main Campus.

Under the university's Gabay Pamayanan ni Mother Rita Barcelo program, the MPA students previously guided SAMBANGKA in drafting its Constitution and By-Laws last February 14, 2026. Today, following a series of revisions, the students witnessed the final signing of the document.

Alongside this milestone, volunteers and donors from the GS MPA program organized an outreach activity under the Hawak Kamay ni Santo Tomas De Villanova program, which benefited 37 fisherfolk members from Calumpit, Bulacan. The MPA students hosted a kumustahan session to engage with the community and distributed 10 kilograms of rice to each participant. The event concluded with a feedback and reflection session facilitated by the Mother Rita Barcelo Community Center (MRBCC) Office. (Report from Wendy B. Resurreccion, RSW)

11/07/2026

07/07/2026

Why Green Spaces Matter
Urban green spaces—such as parks, wetlands, and forests—are not just aesthetic additions to a city; they act as essential environmental lifelines. Their importance spans several key areas:

Health and Well-being: Accessible green space supports physical health by encouraging exercise and significantly boosts mental well-being by reducing stress and anxiety. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a minimum of 9 square meters of accessible green space per person to maintain a healthy quality of life.

Climate Resilience and Flood Protection: Natural landscapes act as buffers against extreme weather. Features like wetlands and mangrove forests naturally store carbon, absorb excess rainwater, and reduce the impact of destructive floods and storm surges.

Pollution and Temperature Control: Vegetation filters harmful air and water pollutants, contributing to cleaner environments. Additionally, urban trees and plants naturally cool down the surroundings, mitigating the "urban heat island" effect caused by dense concrete infrastructure.

Biodiversity Refuges: In highly developed regions, green spaces provide crucial habitats, food, and shelter for local wildlife and migratory species that would otherwise be displaced by urbanization.

References:
Russo, A., & Cirella, G. T. (2018). Modern compact cities: How much greenery do we need? International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 15(10), 2180. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph15102180

Palma, R. (2019). Urban green space availability and distribution across the National Capital Region of the Philippines. University of the Philippines Diliman, Department of Geography.

Republic of the Philippines. (2018). Republic Act No. 11038: Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System (E-NIPAS) Act of 2018. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines.

Ramsar Convention Secretariat. (2013). Information Sheet on Ramsar Wetlands (RIS): Las Piñas–Parañaque Critical Habitat and Ecotourism Area (LPPCHEA). Ramsar Sites Information Service.

DISCLOSURE: AI GENERATED

05/07/2026

Aquarium Escapes Threaten Laguna de Bay Biodiversity
MANILA, Philippines — Recent studies by biologists from Ateneo de Manila University warn that releasing aquarium pets is severely damaging Laguna de Bay. Researchers have confirmed that non-native species like the metallic Tinfoil Barb and the highly aggressive Flowerhorn Cichlid have established breeding populations in the lake due to intentional dumping and typhoon-induced escapes. Alongside existing invaders like the Janitor Fish and Clown Knifefish, these species are outcompeting native Philippine fish, introducing dangerous diseases, and disrupting multi-million peso local fisheries and aquaculture livelihoods.

To protect our ecosystems, students and hobbyists are reminded: never release aquarium fish into local waterways. Releasing non-native pets is a serious environmental offense that violates national laws, including the Wildlife Act (RA 9147) and the Amended Philippine Fisheries Code (RA 10654). Instead of dumping unwanted fish, aquarium owners must support the country’s biosecurity goals by securing their tanks against typhoon flooding and choosing to rehome pets responsibly. References:
¹ Sorgon, K. E. S., et al. (2025). First specimen-based record of Barbonymus schwanefeldii (Bleeker, 1854) from Laguna de Bay, Philippines. Philippine Journal of Systematic Biology, 18(1).
² Ateneo de Manila University Department of Biology. (2026). Escaped flowerhorn fish threaten Laguna biodiversity, pose potential public health risks. SDG 14 Insights.

04/07/2026

La Consolacion University Philippines (LCUP) proudly joins the global observance of International Plastic Bag Free Day on July 3, supporting the movement to phase out single-use plastic bags. In harmony with Laudato Si', the UN Sustainable Development Goals (particularly SDGs 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15), and Philippine environmental policies, LCUP encourages the use of reusable and sustainable alternatives to safeguard ecosystems, reduce plastic waste, and build a more resilient and environmentally responsible community.