The Journal of Environmental Science and Management (JESAM), a Clarivate Analytics Web of Science (WOS) and Elsevier-Scopus indexed journal of the University of the Philippines Los Baños School of Environmental Science and Management (SESAM) mentored more than 100 faculty and researchers of the Ifugao State University (IFSU) in November 22-24, 221 via Zoom.

Ms. Marah Joy A. Nanglegan, Director of Extension and Training of IFSU, invited the JESAM editorial staff to deliver lectures on scientific writing and journal management. Ms. Nanglegan said IFSU is pushing for the maiden issue of its IFSU Extension Journal soon, and they are currently building up their capability in journal management. She hopes that soon their journal will also be indexed by the ASEAN Citation Index (ACI), WOS and Scopus.  

During the opening program, IFSU Vice President for Research, Development, Extension and Training, Dr. Dinah Corazon M. Liyayo said that IFSU faculty and staff must be motivated to do more research and eventually getting it published. For his part, Dr. Felino P. Lansigan, Editor-in-Chief of JESAM, enumerated the incentives and benefits of getting more publications, especially for those who are working the academe. “You can be granted international publication awards if you publish your work in indexed journals”, Dr, Lansigan said.

Among those presented lectures were Dean Rico C. Ancog, Managing Editor; Dr. Thaddeus P. Lawas, Production Editor; and JESAM Editorial Assistants, Dr. Loucel E. Cui, Dr. Alma Lorelei D. Abejero, Ms. Cherry S. Padilla and Ms. Catherine B. Gigantone. Dr. Lawas presented an  overview of scientific writing, delivered different publication tips and discussed about how to apply for indexing in Clarivate analytics. Meanwhile, Dean Ancog discussed about the importance of journals and the peer review process and writing the results and discussion, conclusions and recommendation. 

Dr. Cui explained how conduct similarity checking of articles and how to prepare the review of related literature and materials and methods. For her part, Dr. Abejero discussed writing the article outline and introduction, and publication ethics. Ms. Padilla talked about manuscript formatting, while Ms. Gigantone gave tips on databasing.

On the last day of the workshop, the participants used the journal canvass provided by JESAM to assemble their respective research notes, terminal reports or even thesis. Some participants who already have draft articles were able to improve the format and technical content, based on the advice and tips given by the JESAM editorial team. 

One of the major highlights during the recently concluded 13^th PNEE International Conference and Scientific Meeting held last 11-12 November 2021 was the keynote talk of Dr. Serge Morand, Director for Research of the French Scientific Research Council and CIRAD. 

An expert in ecology of disease transmission and its application in health ecology Dr. Morand works as a field parastilogist focusing on the epidemiology of zoonotic and other infectious diseases. 

In his talk, he elaborated the apparent acceleration of epidemics and disease which has been a concern due to increases in outbreaks of novel zoonotic and vector-borne diseases as well as diseases affecting livestock and poultry, and the increase in incidence of plant and animal fungal diseases. Taking the global and several cases in Southeast Asia, he elaborated on the ecology of diseases and its epidemiology in the new normal as well as in the present and future scenarios for the COVID-19 pandemic.

He further indicated that this increase in spread and emergence of diseases is connected with the increase in connectivity, efficiency and accessibility in global trade and travel. This shows that the increase in connectivity between territories has globalized epidemics and served as an avenue to facilitate the transmission and spread of diseases.

Furthermore, the increase in emergence of diseases, especially zoonotic diseases, has been observed to be linked with increase in urbanization with increased activities linked with human encroachment into wildlife territory for land conversion, and production of livestock and poultry. The close association of humans with animals, and the overlapping boundaries between their habitats have opened potential infection pathways for novel and re-emerging disease, Dr. Morand even showed studies in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic wherein animals in close association to humans have the potential to serve as reservoir host for the SARS-CoV-2 virus. These findings are important in the epidemiological cycles of the pandemic especially in the virus’ survival in the environment.

All in all, globalization and increases in the rates of urbanization has facilitated a connection between disease emergence, epidemics, and human communities. It also caused a scaling effect due to: (1) increases in activities connected with urbanization and land conversion, (2) improved connectivity due to improvements in efficiency and accessibility in travel, (3) increase in trade activities and access to territories, and (4) and increase in the proximity of animals with human settlements due to increases in demand for livestock and poultry.

The talk of Dr. Morand is one of the three keynote talks in the two-day virtual conference organized by the PNEE with UPLB-SESAM as the host. It aims to promote sustainable development through a strong and independent network of Philippine institutions able to provide national and local government, non-government organizations, people organization, and local communities advice and expertise on environmental education policies and programs appropriate to the needs of local and regional conditions.
The UPLB-SESAM has taken the lead in the foundation of PNEE and has been serving as its permanent secretariat all these years.  At present, PNEE has 92 institutional members (state universities and colleges and non-government organizations) and 785 individual members (faculty, and researchers) throughout the Philippines.About 180 faculty members, researchers, government agencies employees and students attended the event via video conferencing (Gil Gabriel Villancio).

The paper presentation titled “Waste Analysis and Characterization: A Planning Tool for Urban Waste Management in Butuan City, Philippines” by Dr. Evaristo Niño T. Cando III, En.P., Assistant Professor and Jessa O. Aquino, En.P., University Research Associate respectively of the School of Environmental Science and Management, was awarded the Best Paper Presentation on Rural-Urban Linkages Session, during the 3^rd International Conference on Integrated Natural Resources Management (INREM 2021) with the theme “Advancing Ecosystems Restoration, Resilience and Sustainable Development Through INREM” last November 17-19, 2021 via online conferencing. 

This research is a component of the Waste Analysis and Characterization Study (WACS) funded by the Local Government of Butuan City and was implemented in partnership with the Caraga State University (CarSU) last 2019. This research tried to determine the per capita waste generation of the urban households and identified the types of wastes generated by the different sectors in a per capita basis. The baseline information was then utilized to propose strategic interventions and probably develop a working framework or model, for urban solid waste management.

In their presentation, Dr. Cando emphasized that the current trend of urbanization and waste generation in Butuan City provided opportunities for the development of an efficient and integrated approach resolving current and future waste management concerns. 

Other SESAM staff were co-authored by several graduate students’ presentation. The paper entitled “Microplastic Characterization and Concentration in Surface Waters of Lakes Samplacon and Yambo in San Pablo City, Laguna, Philippines” by Ms. Fatima Natuel, Dr. Damasa Magcale-Macandog, Dr. Decibel Faustino-Eslava, Dr. Loucel Cui, and Dr. Stefan Hotes, won second place in 3MT Presentation category. 

More than 350 participants from state colleges and universities,  private higher education institutions, local and national government agencies,  attended the conference.  It was organized by the University of the Philippines Los Baños College of Forestry and Natural Resources through its Interdisciplinary Studies Center for Integrated Natural Resources and Environment Management. In this event, ecosystem restoration, resilience-building, and sustainable development through INREM was shared among the attendees through its 6 sessions, namely: plenary session, paper presentations, LGU INREM Champions, competition for 3MT session, poster pitch, and undergraduate students’ session. Present also in the event are SESAM Professors, who served as moderators and judges: Dr. Hildie Maria Nacorda, Dr. Mark Dondi Arboleda, and Dr. Patricia Ann J. Sanchez. (JOAquino)