<div>Background: Coastal communities, like in Buguey, Cagayan, are highly dependent on marine and aquatic resources and mangroves for their livelihoods and the high population pressure in coastal areas has led to the conversion of mangrove areas for human activities, impacting environmental health. With this, the study assessed the socioeconomic profile of coastal villagers in Buguey, Cagayan, to provide insights for developing sustainable extension programs. 
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Methods: Descriptive-survey method of research was employed in this study. 
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Result: Findings revealed that the coastal villagers were male-dominated, mostly adults and married, elementary graduates and composed of four members in every household. The dominant dialect spoken was Ilocano and Roman Catholicism was the predominant religion. They mostly rely on fishing, mud crab and crablets catching as their main occupations, with most respondents using crab pots as their fishing gear. Some respondents violated fishing regulations by using active gear like filter nets. Mud crabs and river mullets are the primary catches, with river mullet being a particularly vulnerable species in the region. The average monthly income is&nbsp; 7,396 which is below the poverty threshold. Despite low income, there are respondents reported borrowing an average of&nbsp; 21,142.86 from lending companies or banks, primarily for investment in fishing equipment. Most respondents rely on portable pumps for water and dispose of waste primarily through burning, with limited access to formal waste management services. Over half of the motorized boat owners did not register their boats. Most respondents live in single-type houses, with permanent wall construction, permanent roofing and cement floor material. Training and financial literacy programs, enhancing education and skill development, promoting sustainable fishing practices and introducing boat registration and subsidy programs and providing health and welfare support to empower the community and improve their livelihoods and well-being. 
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Assessing the Socio-economic Profile of Coastal Villagers in Buguey, Cagayan: Inputs for Sustainable Extension Programs

Background: Two fish species namely the flathead grey mullet, Mugil cephalus and Silver sillago, Sillago sihama were selected for the histological studies to assess the impact of pollution on the vital organs of fishes. 
 
Methods: The gill, liver and kidney tissues of Mugil cephalus and Sillago sihama of Ennore Creek and unpolluted reference site, Arambakkam were collected.Histological sections of tissues collected from the UPRS, Arambakkam showed normal histoarchitecture. However, there were several histological alterations in the above-mentioned organs of these two species collected from Ennore Creek due to high pollution in Ennore Creek. 
 
Result: The present study showed that the fishes are exposed to pollution-induced stress at Ennore Creek, making the fishes anaemic, weak and vulnerable to diseases. The Ennore Creek is a coastal wetland affected by a major oil spill and other anthropogenic pollution sources. Histological analysis revealed the occurrence of prominent gill and liver lesions, especially in the tissues of M. Cephalus. This study provides scientific evidence for the biological impacts on the resident fishes in the Ennore creek and calls for further research on the impacts of coastal water pollution and potential management strategies.

Assessing the Socio-economic Profile of Coastal Villagers in Buguey, Cagayan: Inputs for Sustainable Extension Programs

Histological Alterations in Two Estuarine Fishes, (Mugil cephalus and Sillago sihama) from Ennore Creek, South East Coast, India