RESTORATION OF BITAN-AG CREEK AS A SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT PROJECT OF MINDANAO UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, PHILIPPINES

The study aimed to find out the awareness, effect, and sustainability of the restoration of the Bitan-ag creek which project is the product of engaging the local communities and other stakeholders locally and internationally. The study utilized the descriptive research method employing survey and interview. There were 25 stakeholders involved as respondents. The research questionnaire made was validated using Cronbach alpha which r=0.92. The interpretation was that the questionnaire is very reliable. The result of the study revealed that the stakeholders were fully aware of the project through visible activities like regular meetings, information campaign and annual evaluation of the project. Print and radio announcements were likewise done as strategies for awareness and advocacy campaigns. During the interview the participants as leaders and members of the stakeholders' groups were highly satisfied with the result of the activities acted upon by various sectors like the academe, the city government, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Environmental Management Bureau, the UN Habitat and the local barangays near and along the said creek. The stakeholders were satisfied with the effect of the project which is the pavement as aneasement and the regular clean-up of the creek from solid waste and siltation among others. Although the project is continual it manifested cooperation among the concerned sectors which will ultimately lead to the restoration of the Bitan-ag creek in Cagayan de Oro City. Recommendation of the study as suggested by the respondents is that there should be more participation from the other sectors like the youth group and women group and that funding's provided for sustainability. Keywords: Bitan-ag creek, restoration, stakeholders, social engagement, solid waste