PRESS RELEASE

Caraga State University joined the historic Balangay International Conference, jointly organized by the City Government of Butuan, the University of the Philippines, and the National Museum of the Philippines, on September 18–19, 2025.

The first Balangay Conference formed part of Butuan’s heightened effort to promote and preserve its rich cultural heritage, highlighting the historical significance of the balangay and its role in regional maritime networks.

Butuan City Mayor Lawrence Lemuel H. Fortun shared that the conference “aims to elevate Butuan’s standing in global maritime heritage while fostering academic exchanges that deepen appreciation and understanding of its rich and vibrant past.”

In his inspirational message, University President Rolyn C. Daguil, PhD, affirmed the commitment to “weaving scholarship with culture, research with art, and heritage with community,” adding that CSU will be “a catalyst for community transformation, bridging wisdom of the past with the aspirations of the future, and a partner in advancing knowledge deeply rooted in our identity as Filipinos.”

Aligned with the UN Decade of the Ocean, the conference highlighted the cultural and historical significance of the balangay, which will mark its 50th anniversary from excavation in 2026. Scholars, policymakers, and communities collaborated to develop action plans to honor maritime heritage while advancing ocean sustainability. | with reports from UP System Media and Communication Office