On October 28, 2025, the ACES team conducted an assessment and monitoring visit at the ADZU–Adopted Watershed located within the Pasonanca Watershed Natural Park — Zamboanga City’s main source of potable water and a designated Key Biodiversity Area.
This community-based reforestation initiative, implemented under the DENR’s Adopt-a-Watershed Program, aims to rehabilitate 8 hectares of degraded forestland. The monitoring activity focused on assessing the survival of previously planted trees and identifying potential areas for future planting, reaffirming ADZU’s sustained commitment to biodiversity conservation and watershed protection.
Simultaneously, a significant milestone was achieved for the ALeRTO— an innovation funded by DOST IX, serve as an early warning system that uses Radio Frequency (RF) technology to transmit data even without internet connection. The team conducted a field test to measure the range between our Transmitter (TX) at the office in Ateneo de Zamboanga University and the Receiver (RX) we carried during the test. The signal successfully reached Muruk, Pasonanca, Zamboanga City — approximately 7 kilometers away!
This milestone shows the potential of ALeRTO in providing reliable communication for disaster early warning, especially in remote areas with limited connectivity.
Guided by Laudato Si’, this integrated activity highlights our dual commitment to ecological restoration and technological innovation for community resilience.
Our Impact Aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
SDG 15 (Life on Land): Restoring Forest ecosystems and protecting biodiversity in a critical watershed area.
SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation): Safeguarding Zamboanga City’s primary source of potable water through watershed conservation.
SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure): Fostering resilient infrastructure with the ALeRTO early warning system.
SDG 13 (Climate Action): Enhancing climate resilience through reforestation and disaster risk reduction technology.
This initiative showcases how environmental stewardship and cutting-edge innovation work hand-in-hand for a safer, more sustainable future.