The National Extension Conference, in keeping with its mission to harness extension work for community empowerment and sustainable development, convened extension leaders and educators from Region V from May 21–23, 2025, at the Daragang Magayon Hall of the University of Santo Tomas-Legazpi, in Rawis, Legazpi City.
On the third day of the conference, Dr. Melchora V. Abonal, Director of the Vetiver Center, presented the CBSUA Seawall Carbon Sequestration Process Project, an initiative developed in collaboration with the LGU of Tabaco. Dr. Abonal presented vetiver grass and its potential as a sustainable natural resource in environmental conservation efforts. She mentioned that the advantages of vetiver grass include its unique characteristics, especially its deep roots that increase soil stability, thus mitigating erosion caused by waves and storms.
Dr. Abonal indicated that the effects of vetiver grass go beyond the environment and include direct improvements to the Material Recovery Facility (MRF) and landfill of Tabaco, thereby helping vulnerable communities improve their resilience by protecting their environment while also facilitating better waste management. This three-day event laid a strong foundation for fostering knowledge sharing, inspiring action, and building partnerships for continued empowerment and meaningful progress. | 𝘙𝘦𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘱𝘩𝘰𝘵𝘰𝘴 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘉𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘔𝘢𝘦 𝘙𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘵
