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As the world faces challenges in preserving the environment, CNU recognizes the need to integrate environmental sustainability into its curriculum. One such integration is the “Seed of Hope” project. It is a tree-planting, educational tour, and community visit to the Municipality of San Fernando. CNU periodically organizes similar mission-driven events that address deforestation, combat climate change, and foster a lasting legacy of environmental consciousness among participants. 

CNU continues to expand its efforts to bring this goal into a wider scope by actively engaging in research and publishing its studies in top-tier academic journals. A few of these studies look into matters such as: an alternative solution to the use of synthetic pesticides; exploring the use of biological control to combat plant disease; appraising native and alien plant species in disturbed forests and its economic value; as well as, investigating floral diversity in communities in relation to anthropogenic activities.

Supporting land ecosystems through education

Events about sustainable use of land
Support or organise events aimed to promote conservation and sustainable utilisation of the land, including forests and wild land

Sustainably farmed food on campus
Have policies to ensure that food on campus is sustainably farmed

Maintain and extend current ecosystems’ biodiversity
Work directly to maintain and extend existing ecosystems and their biodiversity, of both plants and animals, especially ecosystems under threat

Educational programmes on ecosystems
Offer educational programmes on ecosystems (looking at wild flora and fauna) for local or national communities?

Free √

Sustainable management of land for agriculture (educational outreach)
Offer educational programme/outreach for local or national communities on sustainable management of land for agriculture

Free √

Sustainable management of land for tourism (educational outreach)
Offer educational programme/outreach for local or national communities on sustainable management of land for tourism

Free √

Supporting land ecosystems through action

Sustainable use, conservation and restoration of land (policy)
Have a policy to ensure the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems associated with the university, in particular forests, mountains and drylands

Monitoring IUCN and other conservation species (policies)
Have a policy to identify, monitor and protect any IUCN Red Listed species and national conservation list species with habits in areas affected by the operation of your university

Local biodiversity included in planning and development
Include local biodiversity into any planning and development process (e.g. construction of new buildings)

Alien species impact reduction (policies)
Have a policy to reduce the impact of alien species on Campus

Collaboration for shared land ecosystems
Collaborate with the local community to maintain shared land ecosystems

Land sensitive waste disposal

Water discharge guidelines and standards
Have water quality standards and guidelines for water discharges (to uphold water quality in order to protect ecosystems, wildlife, and human health and welfare)

Policy on plastic waste reduction
Have a policy on reducing plastic waste on campus

Policy on hazardous waste disposal
Have a policy, process or practice on waste disposal covering hazardous materials

Trees have witnessed their demise through the symphony of relentless greed over the years, leaving only a diminishing chance to escape the clutches of capitalism. Every tree cut down is a countdown to the end of a lifeline. As an academic institution renowned for its dedication to proactive environmental sustainability, the university is actively engaged in pursuing its mission in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Specifically, Goal 15, which focuses on Life on Land, served as the driving force behind the tree-planting campaign.

 Against the backdrop of alarming environmental concerns, “Seed of Hope” served as a poignant reminder that every sapling planted today will be the foundation of a healthier and greener tomorrow. This emerged as a unifying call to action for environmental enthusiasts and concerned citizens alike. Organized by Cebu Normal University (CNU), this mission-driven event aimed to address deforestation, combat climate change, and foster a lasting legacy of environmental consciousness.

 Under the radiant morning sun, volunteers of all ages, along with graduate students from CNU, assembled in San Fernando, Cebu, on October 21, 2022. They were armed with shovels, a hundred seedlings, and an unwavering determination to bring about a positive change in every seed. The atmosphere buzzed with anticipation as students shared their insights on the crucial role of trees in mitigating climate change, purifying the air we breathe, and conserving invaluable ecosystems. Even if their hands are getting dirty, their hearts are brimming with hope. Knowing the empty holes in the soil will be transformed into flourishing green sanctuaries years from now.

 The impact of “Seed of Hope” extends beyond a single event. It reverberates through the hearts and minds of those who took part, emphasizing that collective action can shape a better world. With renewed enthusiasm and determination, the community continues to nurture these seedlings, fostering a legacy of green landscapes and a sustainable future for generations to come. Together, we can sow the seeds of a brighter tomorrow, one tree at a time. 



On June 11, 2023, the CNU-VSMMC College of Medicine Student Council headed by President Marc Jebrick Illustrisimo, together with COM ESD Focal Person Dr. Luisa Ko and Dr. Ryan Ko, conducted a tree-planting activity in Sapangdaku, Guadalupe Cebu City. The barangay is located in an elevated rural section of the otherwise urban city scene, with a population of 8,214 (Philatlas, 2021), and maintaining a mostly agricultural environment with many of its locals’ livelihood still dependent on the sale of fruits and vegetables. Through the efforts of Dr. Ryan Ko, DENR Region 7 representatives identified the partner community and provided expert advise on the ecologically appropriate species of trees to be procured. A representative from the local community, Ms. Susana Hatagan states that they have been recipients of previous tree planting activities by other DENR and NGO partnerships and are continuously reaping the benefits of the mature fruit-bearing mango and guyabano trees. For the College of Medicine sponsorship this year, they have requested 120 Guyabano seedlings, as the trees are known for early maturity, prolific longevity and potential to prevent soil erosion and landslides in their mountainous locale. This activity was undertaken as part of the Green Initiative of the College, to foster the Institutional graduate outcome to be Protectors of Nature and transformative community leaders. Simple efforts as tree-planting activities, when done properly and with due diligence, can address multiple Unicef SDGs, encouraging local partnerships and empowering communities to engage in environmentally responsible and economically beneficial green endeavors.






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Cebu Normal University
PRIVACY POLICY

Policy Statement

This Privacy Policy is adopted in compliance with the Data Privacy Act of 2012 (Republic Act No. 10173), its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR), and other relevant issuances of the National Privacy Commission (NPC). The University is committed to protecting and respecting your personal data privacy. We process personal information in accordance with the principles of transparency, legitimate purpose, and proportionality. This Policy informs how we collect, use, disclose, store, protect, and dispose personal information of our data subjects.

Definitions

Personal information refers to any information, whether recorded in a material form or not, from which the identity of an individual is apparent or can be reasonably and directly ascertained by the entity holding the information or when put together with other information that would directly and certainly identify an individual.

Sensitive information is a type of personal information with the risk of discrimination against the Data Subject. These are about an identifiable person’s racial or ethnic origin, marital status, color, and religious, philosophical, or political affiliations. It is also, about an individual’s health, education, the genetic or sexual life of person, or any proceeding for any offense committed or alleged to have been committed by such person, the disposal of such proceedings, or the sentence of any court in such proceedings; Issued by government agencies peculiar to an individual which includes, but not limited to, social security numbers, previous or current health records, licenses or its denials, suspension or revocation, and tax returns; and specifically established by an executive order or an act of Congress to be kept classified.

Privileged information refers to any and all forms of data which under the Rules of Court and other pertinent laws constitute privileged communication.

Information We Collect

The University may collect personal information in the context of its regular functions — including but not limited to the following categories:

  1. Students: contact and enrollment details, academic records, health or medical records, accommodation records, student-activity participation, and related data.
  2. Staff and job applicants: contact details, employment history, qualifications, employee-related data.
  3. Alumni profiling: contact and demographic details.
  4. Visitors, volunteers, and other stakeholders: information collected through sign-in forms, CCTV or security monitoring, photos or recordings during official events, surveys, and feedback forms.

Collection may occur by any medium, including: paper forms, electronic forms, email, website or online platforms, CCTV or video/photographic capture, surveys/questionnaires, and other lawful means.

Purposes and Uses of the Data Collected and Processed

Personal information collected may be used for:

  1. Administration of admission, enrollment, employment, alumni relations, and other official functions.
  2. Maintenance of student and employee records, including academic, health, and administrative data.
  3. Provision of University services such as counseling, scholarship administration, placement, library access, facilities use, laboratory access, security, parking, and accommodation.
  4. Internal research, quality assurance, performance monitoring, and institutional planning.
  5. Compliance with statutory obligations (e.g. reporting to government agencies when required).
  6. Security, safety, and campus management, including CCTV monitoring.

Legal Basis / Lawful Criteria for Processing

All processing of personal data is carried out in accordance with the legality, fairness, and lawfulness requirements under the Data Privacy Act and IRR.
Where applicable, processing is grounded on consent, contract, legal obligation, legitimate interest, or other lawful bases recognized under the law. The choice of lawful basis depends on the nature of data, the purpose of processing, and legal or contractual requirements.

Manner of Collection and Processing

Personal data may be collected through physical forms (paper-based), electronic forms, online or web-based platforms (e.g., registration portals, email, institutional website), CCTV or video/photo capture (for security or surveillance), event sign-in sheets or registration forms, surveys or questionnaires, or other legitimate and lawful means.

Processing may include collection, recording, sorting, storing, retrieval, use, updating, modification, blocking, destruction or other operations as allowed under the law, consistent with declared purposes.

Disclosure of Information

The University does not disclose personal information except under the following circumstances:

  1. Internal disclosure within authorized University personnel, only when necessary and appropriate for legitimate institutional purposes.
  2. External disclosure only when required or permitted by law (e.g. statutory obligations), or when the data subject has provided valid consent.
  3. Sensitive personal information or privileged information is processed and disclosed only in accordance with relevant legal provisions.

Risks, Safeguards and Security Measures

The University recognizes that processing of personal data entails certain privacy and security risks. Accordingly, we implement appropriate organizational, technical, and physical security safeguards to protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of personal data — whether in electronic or physical form. Such measures include (but are not limited to):

  1. Access controls (both digital and physical) to restrict access only to authorized personnel
  2. Use of secure storage: locked filing cabinets or secure rooms for physical records; password-protected systems, encryption, secure servers, firewalls for electronic data
  3. Secure transmission of data (when shared or transferred), secure printing and disposal protocols, and safe deletion or destruction of data when no longer needed
  4. Classification of data and periodic review of security protocols, to ensure adequacy in light of the risks presented and sensitivity of the data processed

Rights of Data Subjects

Under the Data Privacy Act and its IRR, data subjects have the following rights:

  1. Right to be informed — you have the right to know whether personal information about you will be, is being, or has been processed; the purposes of processing; the personal data to be entered; and the scope and method of processing.
  2. Right to access, correct, or update your data — you may request access to your personal information, ask for rectification of inaccuracies, or request updates.
  3. Right to object or withdraw consent — when processing is based on consent or legitimate interest, you may withdraw consent or object, subject to legal limits.
  4. Right to data portability — where applicable, you may obtain a copy of your personal data in a secure and portable format for transfer to another controller.
  5. Right to erasure or blocking — if personal data is incomplete, outdated, unlawfully obtained or processed, no longer necessary, or processing is unauthorized, you may request erasure or blocking, subject to legitimate grounds for retention (e.g. legal obligations or defense of legal claims).
  6. Right to damages — you may seek indemnification for damages resulting from inaccurate, incomplete, outdated, unlawfully obtained or unauthorized use of your personal data.
  7. Right to lodge a complaint with the NPC if you believe your data privacy rights have been violated.

Requests for access, rectification, objection, portability, erasure or complaints may be submitted in writing to the University’s designated Data Protection Officer (DPO) or Data Privacy Office.

Security, Retention, and Disposal

The University implements appropriate organizational, technical, and physical security measures to safeguard personal data — whether in paper or electronic form — against unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction. Such measures include: secure storage (locked filing cabinets or rooms), restricted access to authorized personnel only, use of locked screens/screensavers, secure transmission (sealed envelopes or secure electronic transmission), secure printing and disposal of documents, and safe deletion or destruction of data when no longer needed.

Personal data will be retained only for as long as necessary to fulfill the declared and legitimate purposes, or as required for legal obligations or defense of legal claims. When no longer needed, personal data will be disposed of securely in accordance with University policy and relevant data-protection guidelines.

Consent, Notice, and Legitimate Processing

Where required by law, consent will be obtained from data subjects prior to collection or processing of their personal or sensitive data. In other cases (e.g. CCTV monitoring, legitimate interest), the University will inform data subjects through appropriate notice mechanisms before or at the time of data collection. Privacy notice(s) will accompany data-collection forms or be posted in conspicuous campus areas, and on the University website. At all times, data processing is based on legitimate purpose and proportional to the need.

Data Subject Access and Contact

To exercise your rights or if you have any inquiry, concern, or request regarding your personal data, please contact:

Omar B. Roma

Data Protection Officer
Email: dpo@cnu.edu.ph
Phone: 09422041421

Changes to This Policy

The University reserves the right to update or amend this Privacy Policy as necessary to reflect changes in applicable laws, regulations, regulatory guidance, or its internal data-processing practices. Updated versions will be posted on the University’s official website and, where appropriate, communicated to data subjects.