UP-CIFAL Philippines Kicks Off Sustainability Caravan at UP Manila

5 September 2025—UP-CIFAL Philippines conducted the first leg of the UP Sustainability Caravan in partnership with UP Manila, held via Zoom. With the theme “Transforming the Future through Synergetic Sustainability”, the online event gathered around 60 participants from across the UP system for a day of lectures, workshops, and discussions aimed at deepening understanding and advancing the implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within the academic community of the UP System.

UP President Angelo A. Jimenez and Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs Alyssa M. Peleo-Alampay, emphasized the importance of a whole-of-university approach that embeds the SDGs across instruction, research, and public service. President Jimenez highlighted that the caravan aligns with UP’s 2023–2029 Strategic Plan and its commitment to foster a just, equitable, and sustainable society.

In her welcome remarks, Dr. Gina Salazar, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs of UP Manila, highlighted the vital role of universities in modeling sustainability and preparing students to be leaders in sustainable development. She encouraged faculty, staff, and students to integrate sustainability not only in theory but also in daily practice across their respective units.

Resource speakers noted the role of universities in driving sustainability through the three core functions of higher education institutions. UP-CIFAL Philippines, through its Director Michelle R. Palumbarit, showcased its flagship programs such as the Professional Courses on Global Migration and Water Governance, as well as SDG translations into major Filipino languages. Best practices from De La Salle University, represented by University Sustainability Office Executive Officer Antonio Carlos Maralit, demonstrated how breaking silos, forming sustainability committees, and appointing “sustainability champions” can accelerate progress.

Participants engaged in a workshop that surfaced the need for stronger coordination, sustainability focal points across campuses, and meaningful community impact beyond global rankings. 

In her closing remarks, Dr. Bhabita Murjani, Director of the UP Manila Quality Assurance Office, urged participants to carry forward the lessons of the caravan: “Achieving the SDGs is not just a responsibility of government and institutions, but a shared mission that requires the commitment of colleges, offices, and individuals.”

The UP Sustainability Caravan continues across the UP System, culminating in the UP Strategic Conference on Sustainable Development this November 2025. The Caravan also serves as a platform to gather insights from the different CUs, contributing to the formulation of the UP System’s roadmap toward sustainable development. This initiative affirms the University’s role as a key stakeholder in shaping a more sustainable future.