La Trinidad, Benguet — Cordillera Career Development College (CCDC) continues to advance the protection of campus ecosystems through biodiversity-focused land management, even as it works toward formalizing a dedicated policy on reducing the impact of alien species.
CCDC’s official SDG 15 (Life on Land) framework states that the College “values the diverse ecosystems and wildlife that flourish on land” and seeks to “reduce our ecological footprint, support reforestation, and safeguard the habitats that sustain life on Earth for future generations”. This commitment provides the institutional foundation for managing campus landscapes in ways that favor native biodiversity over potentially harmful non-native species.
A key practice is the use of native and fruit-bearing tree species in campus reforestation. Under Project SAGIP, approximately 300 seedlings — including avocado, coffee, mango, and pine trees — were planted at Admirals Farm Park, with a significant number thriving. Prioritizing indigenous and useful tree species in land restoration helps establish resilient native plant communities that can better resist encroachment by invasive species.
CCDC also maintains strict waste management and land contamination controls through its Waste Disposal and Landfill Policy, which prohibits open dumping and burning on campus. By preventing land degradation and maintaining healthy soil conditions, these measures support the integrity of existing ecosystems and reduce opportunities for invasive species to establish in disturbed areas.
The College’s environmental standards extend to suppliers, contractors, and partners, requiring adherence to environmental guidelines in construction and maintenance activities. This operational oversight helps minimize land disturbance that could introduce or spread alien species through equipment, soil movement, or landscaping materials.
CCDC acknowledges that reducing the impact of alien species is an ongoing and continuous process. The College is committed to reviewing its land management protocols, strengthening native species prioritization in landscaping and reforestation, and exploring the formalization of a dedicated invasive species policy as part of its broader sustainability journey under SDG 15 (Life on Land).
