The Institute of Tropical Ecology was approved by the ViSCA Board of Trustees in May 1998 to undertake and promote ecological education, research and extension in the Visayas. It is task to sustain and continue the ecological and environmental research and development activities of the university.

Vision

A center of excellence in tropical ecology to serve as an instrument for the attainment of a balanced environment for the present and future generations.

Mission

Attainment of the well-being of the people in the Visayas through effective and highly developed resources and the generation, dissemination and application of relevant knowledge and technology in tropical ecology.

Objectives

• To produce quality manpower in tropical ecology.
• To generate appropriate knowledge and technologies for the sustainable management of natural resources.
• To disseminate appropriate and sustainable technologies for the well being of farmer and fisherfolk.
• To establish lasting linkages and cooperation with local, national, and international institutions and agencies involved in sustainable management of natural resources in tropical ecology.
• To establish and maintain development-oriented and income-generating projects as model in resource management and entrepreneurship.

• Rainforestation - arming aims to replace the more destructive forms of "Kaingin" practices, form a buffer zone around primary forests, protect their biodiversity, help maintain the water cycle, and provide farmers with stable and higher incomes. Rainforestation evolves from various efforts to sustain human food production and simultaneously preserve the biodiversity of terrestrial ecosystems and their vital functions to human kind.
• Evaluation of Silvicultural Management, Ecological Chances and Market Study of Products of Existing Rainforestation Demo Farm. (Funded by: (Deutsche Gesellsschaaft Für Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ) - Leyte Island Program, Buffer Zone Forest Management and Reforestation by Small Holder Communities Project)
  • Monitoring Response of Trees to Silvicultural Management
  • Performance Evaluation and Monitoring of Existing Demo Farm: Trees, Soil Nutrients Dynamics, and Wildlife
  • Marketing Study of "Rainforestation" Farm Products
• Targeting Technology Intervention for Food Security in the Philippines: A GIS Application for Agricultural Research Prioritization - aims to collate, integrate, and analyze the different data sets that are to be made, both at the regional and national levels. (Funded by: DA-BAR)
  • GIS Application for Suitability Evaluation of Biophysical Environments for Rice, Rootcrops, Abaca, Coconut, Fruitcrops, and Poultry and Livestock.
  • GIS Application for Mapping of Agricultural Technology and Field Level Practices in Rice, Rootcrops, Abaca, Coconut, Fruitcrops, and Poultry and Livestock.
  • GIS Application for mapping and Farmer Knowledge System in Rice, Rootcrops, Abaca, Coconut, Fruitcrops, and Poultry and Livestock.
  • GIS Application for Agricultural Research Prioritization in Region VIII.

The College of Forestry and Environmental Science traces its humble beginnings as a small department of the then Visayas State College of Agriculture in 1975, offering both Forest Ranger Certificate and Bachelor of Science in Forestry. From a small department with only 16 students, this academic unit had grown up to maturity and became a College in 2001 under the Leyte State University with about 160 students. The College now offers the Bachelor of Science in Forestry and Master of Science in Forestry degree programs. In view of its graduates' consistent quality performance in the Licensure Examination for Foresters for the last 5 years, the College was given a recognition as CENTER OF EXCELLENCE IN FORESTRY EDUCATION by the Commission on Higher Education in 2001, with a corresponding grant of Php 3 million per year for a period of 3 years.

Vision

The college as a center of excellence in forestry and allied fields in the Visayas

Mission

Sustain effective and efficient management of the Visayan forests and the environment through responsive human resource development; generation, dissemination and application of relevant knowledge and technologies for the enhancement of the general well being of the people particularly in upland rural poor communities.

Goals

1. Promote relevant and responsive education in forestry, agroforestry, biodiversity conservation and related fields
2. Generate appropriate knowledge and technologies for forest resources and environmental management and conservation through relevant research undertakings
3. Sustain partnership with local communities, government and non-government organizations, private groups and funding agencies in the management and conservation of the Visayan forests and the environment
4. Establish functional awareness and public advocacy on important socio-economic and ecological problems and issues affecting forests and environment

General Objectives:

1. To strive for excellence in forestry education for sustainable forest management and conservation
2. To enhance focus on high impact programs in instruction, research and extension for the well-being of small Visayan farmers particularly the upland rural poor
3. To establish and sustain meaningful linkages with local, national and international institutions and agencies for the promotion of relevant instruction, responsive research and effective extension in forestry and allied fields

• Rainforestation Farming - the training will address the conservation, protection and restoration of the biodiversity of the Philippine rainforest.
• International Seminar-Workshop on Tropical Ecology - this yearly seminar workshop is organized by the Institute of Tropical Ecology, Leyte State University, Philippines, University of Hohemheim, Germany, University of Satya Wacana, Indonesia and University of Halle, Germany.
• Scuba Diving - this training facilities learning of the biota in marine ecosystem and their interrelationships with each other and their physical environment. It will help develop a deeper appreciation of the beauty and functionality of marine ecosystems which, in turn, strengthens their understanding of the need to protect and conserve marine habitats.
• Natural Resource Management and Conservation - the training will focus on the rehabilitation of degraded lands (including rainforestation), erosion control, integrated soil management and biodiversity assessment and conservation.
• Ecological Impact of Mining Activities - the seminar will focus on the impacts mining/minerals processing on the air, water and soil resources as well as on human health.
• Coastal Resource Management - the training will address the conservation, protection and restoration of coastal habitats.
• Soil Waste Management - the training will focus on the proper collection and household and agricultural waste.

Invitation to Bid

Notice of Award

Awarded Contracts

Notice to Proceed

BAC Resolution

To ensure success and sustainability of the project, the Institute of Tropical Ecology has established networking with:

• Local Government Units
• Non-Government Organizations
• People's Organization
• Government Organization
• Academic Research Institutions, which include local, national and foreign universities.

About

On May 2002, VSU implemented RA 9163 or the National Service Training Program (NSTP) Act of 2001, which became law on January 23, 2002. VSU then created the National Service Training Program Office (NSTPO) to supervise the implementation of the program and its component programs, namely: Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC), the Civic Welfare Training Service (CWTS) and Literacy Training Service (LTS). A student can then take any of the three programs for his/her training as a requirement for graduation. However, due to limited trained faculty for literacy, VSU implemented only the ROTC and CWTS. Both ROTC and CWTS component of the National Service Training Program (NSTP) implemented the program in accordance with the approved Program of Instruction. Trainings were conducted at the designated rooms and other venues appropriate for the number of trainees per training day. For ROTC, demonstration and practical exercises were done at the VSU parade ground or oval.

During the past years VSU-ROTC has been awarded as the BEST ROTC UNIT of REGION VIII during the Regional Annual Administrative and Tactical Inspection (RAATI). Since 2002 there was no national annual administrative and tactical evaluation, the VSU ROTC Unit is still the National Best ROTC Unit. CWTS on the other hand, has been recognized as active partners in development by the host barangays in Baybay City. Host barangays since 2003 until second semester of SY 2005-2006 includes; 13 Barangays in Baybay, Leyte (Candadam, Gabas, Guadalupe, Pangasugan, Patag, Marcos, San Agustin, Bunga, Cogon, Hibunawan, Maganhan, Gakat, San Isidro), and 1 in Albuera, Leyte (Tabgas) respectively.

Mission

Socially awake, morally renewed and transformed, politically empowered and militarily prepared youths for the service of the country.

Vision

Recovery of the youth's sense of patriotism and national pride, values and habits of discipline and hard work, integrity and accountability for nation building.

Goal

Promote and integrate values education, transformational leadership, spirit of patriotism and nationalism and sustainable social mobilization for youth development, community building and national security.