SU joins 32nd Philippine Biodiversity Symposium in Iloilo

Silliman University participated in the 32nd Philippine Biodiversity Symposium of the Biodiversity Conservation Society of the Philippines (BCSP), held on August 12–15, 2025 at Central Philippine University in Iloilo City.

With the theme “One Future: Biodiversity, Climate, and Health,” the symposium gathered over 400 conservation practitioners, scientists, policymakers, and advocates from across the country.

Representatives from Silliman University’s (SU) Center for Tropical Conservation Studies (CENTROP), the Biology Department, and the DOST Spotted Deer Project contributed to the event through research presentations and knowledge exchange.

Asst. Prof. Persie Mark Q. Sienes presents his paper.

Asst. Prof. Persie Mark Q. Sienes of the Biology Department presented the results of the DOST-funded study on the “Morphological Analysis and DNA Barcoding of the Critically Endangered Philippine Spotted Deer (Rusa alfredi) Populations in Negros-Panay Islands.”

BS Biology student Selin A. Toker also represented SU in the Student Poster Category, presenting her thesis on “Diversity and Distribution of Beetles (Insecta: Coleoptera) in SU-CENTROP Palinpinon Site, Negros Oriental.”

Other SU participants included Dr. Robert S. Guino-o, Dr. Aye Mee F. Bartocillo, Dr. Nadia P. Abesamis, Asst. Prof. Renee B. Paalan, Asst. Prof. Kathryn R. Jadloc, Ms. Jocelyn Elise B. Inocencio, Jazz Marie Catubig, Lhear Elloren, and Rjay Mendoza.

BS Biology student Selin A. Toker poses next to her poster presentation.

The four-day event featured plenary talks, concurrent sessions, workshops, and public exhibits. Highlights included the launch of the Philippine Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan, updates on the Philippine Key Biodiversity Areas (KBA) Map, and discussions on biodiversity’s links to climate change and public health.