DENR-EMB validates BukSU’s sustainability efforts

A validation team composed of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) visited the campuses of Bukidnon State University (BukSU) on March 26, 2026, for a field validation of BukSU’s sustainability efforts.

The National Search for Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Schools is a government-led competition that recognizes educational institutions for integrating environmental protection into the curriculum, administration, and community outreach.

Under the leadership of Smart University President Dr. Joy M. Mirasol through the Administrative Division of the Office of the Chief Administrative Officer, the university has focused its vision toward becoming a smart and sustainable institution.

The validation process at BukSU is important for instilling a sense of stewardship within the university community, an initiative that remains a top institutional priority.

“A century of service has shaped who we are today, and it is the dedication of our faculty, staff, students, partners, and stakeholders that has brought us to this milestone. Our journey toward becoming a Green University has never been the work of one, but of many. And for this, I extend my heartfelt thanks to the entire BukSU workforce whose daily efforts, often quiet yet impactful, have turned our vision of sustainability into meaningful action,” Mirasol shared.

In April 2025, BukSU collaborated with the Department of Energy (DOE) on a comprehensive energy audit, inspired to heighten the installation of solar panels on major campus buildings and the transition to energy-saving LED lighting.

In February 2026, the university officially received its Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) from the DENR-EMB Region X. This certificate ensures that all university operations, including future infrastructure expansions, adhere to a strict Environmental Management Plan (EMP).

The campus has implemented rainwater harvesting systems, such as the rain catch basins and a zero-waste segregation policy, which has become a living laboratory for students in the Environmental Science and Public Administration programs.

In the 2025 UI GreenMetric World University Rankings, BukSU secured a prestigious 7th place in the Philippines and 1st place in Mindanao. Globally, the university surged to 358th place, outperforming over 1,000 participating institutions across criteria such as Setting & Infrastructure, Waste Management, and Water Conservation.

The field validation allowed the validation team of BukSU’s green commitment. This includes everything from the efficiency of the university’s solar grids to the biodiversity counts within its campus flora.

“We embrace this process as an opportunity to learn, to grow, and to reaffirm our commitment to continuously do better in advancing sustainability in higher education,” Mirasol said. (BukSU – Information Unit)