By Siegred Jade L Paigalan
SLP Administrative Assistant

In Photo: Stakeholders from DENR-10, XSF, the Indigenous Peoples of Mt Kalatungan, and
XU units conclude a productive discussion on PES.

On 11 March 2025, a multi-stakeholder meeting on Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES)- Mt Kalatungan, was convened as part of Xavier University's (XU) Social Development Week celebration. The meeting’s objective was to gather stakeholders’ commitment and support in the conservation of Mt Kalatungan, Bukidnon, through various environmental sustainability programs such as tree growing initiatives and cultural preservation efforts. 

Organized by the XU McKeough Advancement for Environment, Resilience, and Sustainability (MAERS) Center, the Xavier Science Foundation (XSF), and XU Social Development Office, the event was attended by representatives from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Region 10 (DENR 10) through its Protected Area Management Board (PAMB), the Namamayuk Indigenous people of Mt Kalatungan, and various XU offices and student organizations.

Dr Astrid L Sinco, Director of the MAERS Center, welcomed participants and underscored Xavier University's (XU) sustained involvement in Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES), a commitment tracing back to 2014. She highlighted the foundational work of Dr Hilly Ann Roa-Quiaoit, former Vice President for XU Research and Social Outreach, and Mr Roel R Ravanera, Executive Director of the Xavier Science Foundation. Their collaborative efforts initiated the 'Sustaining Green Growth by Valuing Ecosystems Services in Cagayan de Oro' project, beginning at the river basin headwaters of Mt Kitanglad and Mt Kalatungan, and evolving through various approaches.

Mr Roel Dahonong, OIC Chief of DENR Region 10's Conservation and Development Division, shared that PES can be a vital financial solution to advance conservation efforts of protected areas in Bukidnon. He highlighted a significant ₱112 million funding gap, attributed to insufficient planning and revenue generation. The PES model, utilizing market-based transactions, engages indigenous communities, government agencies, and private sector partners to incentivize conservation and foster sustainable livelihoods through agroforestry and reforestation.

Ms Thieza C Verdijo, Deputy Director of XSF, emphasized the importance of combating climate change and watershed degradation in the Cagayan de Oro River Basin. She explained how PES links buyers and sellers to fund reforestation, monitoring, and fire protection. Verdijo also highlighted youth engagement and cultural exchange, noting One Meralco Foundation's MOA to support PES initiatives. 

Ms Zorabel May Ramos, Assistant Protected Area Superintendent, detailed the Protected Area Management Board's (PAMB) vital role in enforcing policies, coordinating stakeholders, and managing climate resilience funds for Mt Kalatungan. While acknowledging challenges like market uncertainties, financial sustainability, and land tenure, she affirmed PAMB's commitment to strengthening monitoring and water resource policies.

Indigenous leaders, including Datu Elpedio Suclatan (Chairman) and Datu Herminio Guinto (Board Adviser), expressed their gratitude for the support in protecting Mt Kalatungan. They emphasized their ancestral role in safeguarding the mountain and its rivers, which flow through Cagayan de Oro, Misamis Oriental, and Davao. They stressed the need for continued collaboration with government agencies and non-governmental organizations, highlighting the impact of conservation efforts on their communities.

In Photo: Datu Elpedio Suclatan gave a testimony on the importance of Mt Kalatungan to maintain ecological balance

Ms Norinyl E Jumalon, Director of XU's National Service Training Program (NSTP), emphasized students' active PES Project involvement, driving reforestation and environmental advocacy. While acknowledging documentation and engagement challenges, she noted the initiative's success in raising youth awareness, inspiring contributions to ecosystem restoration and disaster prevention.

In Photo: Ms Gail P de la Rita, Director of Service Learning Program, served as facilitator during the stakeholders’ meeting

During the conversations, Mr Ryan Mañus from the XU Basic Education pointed out that XUCCCO (XU Community Credit Cooperative)  provides annual funding for environmental efforts, but regular updates on habitat restoration remain crucial. They proposed a roadshow that aims to bring junior high school students together to raise awareness. The Ateneo Mountaineering Society (AMS) aims to deepen members' environmental understanding and proposed the XU Central Student Government's (XU-CSG) Environmental Summit as a venue to unify student organization efforts in environmental advocacy. XU-CSG also committed to assisting with Mt Kalatungan's PES conservation, specifically managing one hectare of land. The Dean and Associate Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences recommended integrating environmental topics into NSTP and other core subjects. Additionally, the Xavier University Center for Legal Assistance (XUCLA) will advance the PES legal framework through legal assessments. These collective initiatives aim to strengthen conservation strategies and ensure long-term environmental impact.

Concluding the discussions, Mr Ravanera expressed strong optimism about the future of PES in Mt Kalatungan, emphasizing the need for collaboration among government agencies, universities, and local communities. "The downstream communities should be able to help the upstream communities," he stressed, highlighting the importance of collective responsibility in conservation efforts. He acknowledged past challenges such as wildfires and political instability but remained hopeful, stating that with Xavier University's involvement, the initiative could expand significantly. "We need to monitor and document our efforts to ensure the sustainability of our environmental protection initiatives," he added, underscoring the necessity of continuous monitoring and accountability.

In Photo: Mr Roel Dahonong, OIC Chief of DENR Region 10's Conservation and Development Division,
poses for a photo with Mr Roel Ravanera, Dr Astrid Cinco, and Engr Dexter Lo

Dr Sinco emphasized the collective responsibility in sustaining Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) initiatives. She underscored the importance of monitoring and establishing baseline data to measure PES effectiveness beyond financial transactions, recognizing the intrinsic cultural and ecological value of conservation.

Engr Dexter Lo, Vice President for XU Social Development, affirmed Xavier University's (XU) commitment to conservation and sustainability. He pledged to elevate PES discussions to university leadership, integrating them into the institution's broader environmental mission. Acknowledging the vital role of the PES Council, he stressed that conservation efforts must be a shared responsibility. "XU as a Laudato Si University, uban gyud ta para mu atiman sa kinaiyahan," (As a Laudato Si University, XU is with you in caring for the environment), he concluded, emphasizing the need for a united front in environmental stewardship.

With a shared sense of purpose, the meeting concluded with renewed commitments to PES, environmental stewardship, and the protection of Mt Kalatungan for future generations.