At the forefront of advancing ethical discourse grounded in local realities, Dr. Rogelio P. Bayod, Quality Assurance and Research Director of North Valley College Foundation, Inc., has been invited as a resource person at the 10th Ethics of Nature Seminar of the Mindanao State University Marawi Department of Philosophy. In this prestigious academic gathering, Dr. Bayod will deliver a lecture on indigenous perspectives on the ethics of environment, a theme that resonates deeply with contemporary ecological challenges in Mindanao and beyond. His participation highlights the growing recognition of indigenous knowledge systems as vital sources of ethical reflection in addressing environmental crises. Drawing from his extensive research and community engagements, Dr. Bayod is expected to articulate how indigenous worldviews, particularly those rooted in relationality, stewardship, and communal responsibility can offer alternative frameworks to dominant, extractive models of development. His talk will contribute to ongoing conversations among philosophers, scholars, and students seeking to reimagine environmental ethics through culturally grounded and socially responsive lenses. The invitation also reflects his active involvement in regional and international philosophical networks, where he has consistently promoted dialogues on peace, sustainability, and ethics. His work bridges academic theory and grassroots realities, making his voice especially relevant in a seminar dedicated to the ethics of nature. Dr. Rogelio P. Bayod is a Filipino scholar specializing in ethics, indigenous studies, and sustainability. He serves as Quality Assurance and Research Director at North Valley College Foundation, Inc., where he also teaches courses in ethics, counseling, and research. He holds a PhD in Bioethics, Sustainability, and Global Health, as well as another doctorate in Development Administration, equipping him with both philosophical and applied perspectives on social and environmental issues. His scholarship is deeply rooted in the lived realities of Mindanao, particularly among indigenous communities. His research explores how indigenous worldviews contribute to ethical frameworks on environment, technology, and social justice. He has written extensively on environmental ethics, peace and conflict, and the role of indigenous knowledge in shaping sustainable futures. Dr. Bayod is also actively engaged in academic collaborations and conferences, often bringing together scholars to discuss ethics and sustainability in local and global contexts. His work emphasizes that indigenous perspectives are not merely cultural artifacts but living systems of knowledge that can guide ethical responses to ecological degradation and climate change. He is invited to speak on indigenous environmental ethics because his scholarship uniquely integrates philosophical rigor, community engagement, and indigenous wisdom. His work demonstrates that understanding the environment is not only a scientific or technical issue but also a moral and cultural one requiring voices from the margins to reshape dominant ethical paradigms.
