A Memorandum of Agreement was signed on July 18, 2023, at the ZSCMST Conference Room, Fort Pilar, Zamboanga City, between ZSCMST, represented by Dr. Jaime G. Jalon, and Sibuco Municipal Mayor, Hon. Joel M. Ventura, represented by the Municipal Administrator, Ms. Ruth Ventura, for the launching of ProgreSIBUCO, a CRM-based Extension Program involving Participatory Coastal Resource Assessment.

Prior to the conduct of the on-site evaluation, a SCUBA Diving and Participatory Resource Assessment Training was conducted. The training was facilitated by the Office of the Vice-President of Research, Innovation, and Extension particularly the Training and Extension Office, Scuba Diving Center, and Coastal Resource Management Center, from July 20 to 28, 2023. This training aimed to equip the personnel from the municipality of Sibuco, Zamboanga del Norte, with knowledge and skills on the conduct of coastal resource assessments.

Then, Phases 1 and 2 of ProgreSIBUCO were conducted from September 28–October 2, 2023, and October 6–10, 2023, respectively. On-site evaluation was conducted by the Project Team, which included Dr. Rufa L. Mendez (Socioeconomics), Prof. Raymond Antonio M. Lim (Fish Visual Census), Prof. Rolando E. Pelinggon (Plankton Identification), Engr. Victoria L. Lim and Engr. Ray J. Arcillas (Water Quality Monitoring), Prof. Annie B. Gonzales (Invertebrate Assessment), Mr. Kent Anthony Enocita (Coral Identification), Mr. Dervin Lasagas (Bathymetry), Prof. Arthur L. Panganiban, Jr., and Dr. Maila V. Pan (Aquaculture), and Prof. Marlon R. Omatang and Mr. Gulam Lariño (Documentation and Support). The team will continue to carry-out the Assessment Phase until the 4th Quarter of 2023 in order to identify critical issues that needs to be addressed for the crafting of an effective Coastal Resource Management Plan.