College of Forestry & Environmental Studies

Brief History:

The first flight of the College was launch August 8 1983 and was remarks the first day of class for the College of Forestry. Forester Rodolfo Bautista was the first instructor with 22 Forest Ranger Certificate (FRC) students and was the first Chairman of the Forestry Department. During that time, the Department of Agriculture and Forestry were fused into one department named Agro-forestry Department. 

In 1985 the MSU-Buug unit was elevated into a college unit by virtue of Resolution No. 492-B. and the two college department was divided into four thus the creation of the College of Forestry. In the year 1985, Forester Loreto P. Merquillo and Forester Policarpo G. Tejedor were hired as Forestry instructors.

In the year 2008, the college adopted and offered the course Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science and by year 2010, Prof. Bryan Bitantos was hired as the first Environmental Science instructor. The College was reorganized and a new set of designation were installed, Forester Policarpo G. Tejedor succeeded Forester Loreto P. Merquillo being the new Dean of the College; Mr. Bryan L. Bitantos as the College Secretary and Chairman of the Environmental Science Department; Forester Loreto P. Merquillo as the Chairman of the Agro-forestry Department; and Forester Rodolfo D. Bautista as the Chairman for the Forest Ranger Certificate. The College was then renamed from College of Forestry to its present name College of Forestry and Environmental Studies. By year 2012, Mrs. Gema U. Alduhisa joined the college as the second Environmental Science instructor.

Years have passed and the College has been very progressive in terms of complying the four-fold mandate of the University ideals. Prof. Bautista, Prof. Tejedor, and Prof. Merquillo already tendered their retirement and left a legacy where the College will be always thankful and cherish the foundation they built with debt of gratitude.

Presently, it is propelled by five (7) dynamic and brilliant men and women headed by Dr. Bryan L. Bitantos as the Dean, Asst. Prof. Rosienie D. Gallardo-Bongabong as the Environmental Science Department Chairperson, For. Jennelyn C. Carreon as the Forestry Department Chairperson, Ms. Brithney Shane Q. Oquete as the College Secretary, and the other faculty members are For. Rochie S. Butron, For. Rainisah S. Abdullah and For. Ralph RJ E. Rozano. 

As one of the flagship courses of the Mindanao State University- Buug, the college is on fire to achieve its vision, mission, goals and objectives in providing quality education production of highly commended professionals, and influencing the community by extending services in the field of forestry and environmental studies.

College Goal:

To produce quality graduates equipped with forestry and environmental knowledge and undertake meaningful production activities and researches to uplift forest, environment and socio-economic condition of the people of Zamboanga Peninsula

College Objectives:

1. To offer dynamic, relevant and responsive curricular programs.

2. To produce professionals, leaders, managers and technicians in forestry and environmental management;

3. To develop forest and environmental researches and collaborate with other institutions for creating adaptable technologies that would address current forest and environmental issues.

4. To develop, package and transfer sustainable forestry and environmental technologies through institutional linkages and network for effective extension services;

5. To establish Income Generating Projects on forest resources and eco-friendly material production.

6. To spread environmentally sound technologies as vehicles towards achieving global sustainable development goals.

Program Offering:

• Bachelor of Science in Forestry major in Agro-Forestry
• Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science
• Bachelor of Science in Forestry

List of Faculty Members:

DR. BRYAN L. BITANTOS
College Dean