TULIP News 012

The research team from the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), led by Dr. Perlie P. Velasco, visited Pangasinan, Philippines on January 16-17, 2025, to initiate socio-economic studies and citizen science initiatives under the TULIP Project.

The team conducted courtesy visits to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) and the Department of Health – Center for Health Development (DOH-CHD) in Region 1, as well as local government units in Dagupan and Lingayen. Discussions highlighted UPLB’s role in the Project and introduced nature-based solutions (NbS), specifically the constructed wetland, as potential interventions for wastewater treatment and pollution management.

Together with Engr. Lily Neremiapel Esteban of DOH-CHD Region 1 and the staff of Lingayen Municipality and Dagupan City Offices, the UPLB team visited key pollution hotspots such as dumpsites and engaging with its local communities such as residents of a mangrove-barangay, the team gathered valuable insights into the region’s environmental challenges such as poor waste management and policies. These findings will guide the upcoming socio-economic studies and community-driven initiatives of the UPLB Team.

Additionally, the team visited a sewage treatment plant in the area to examine its facility.UPLB’s primary role in this project is to evaluate the effectiveness of constructed wetlands in remediating wastewater contaminated with microplastics and antimicrobial-resistant bacteria/genes. Ultimately, the team will conduct socio-economic surveys and citizen science initiatives to assess the public acceptance of this NbS in Pangasinan and develop policy recommendations for endorsement to local government units.