By Alonzeyah Omangpang and Anne Sherlyn Bungcasan
The Xavier University – McKeough Advancement for Environment, Resilience, and Sustainability (XU-MAERS) expands its initiatives to advance environmental conservation and community resilience through two new local and national partnerships.
Project CARE: in partnership with the Philippine Jesuit Refugee Service (PJRS)
XU-MAERS has formally worked in collaboration with the Philippine Jesuit Refugee Service (PJRS) to implement the Community Action to Resist, Adapt, Rehabilitate and Engage for the Environment (Project CARE). PJRS is the Philippine branch of Jesuit Refugee Service – Asia Pacific, a non-government organization that provides humanitarian assistance to internally displaced or disaster-affected communities.
Initial coordination with the fisherfolk associations in Binitinan (Left) and Kinoguitan (Right), Misamis Oriental with XU-MAERS and PJRS.
Project CARE will benefit fisherfolk associations in Barangay Binitinan, Municipality of Balingasag, and Barangay Buko, Municipality of Kinoguitan—both former partner sites under the MANGREBAY Project of XU-MAERS (formerly McKeough Marine Center). The initiative will focus on mangrove rehabilitation through training workshops and the development of sustainable livelihood opportunities. By doing so, it underscores the vital role of mangroves in protecting coastal communities, supporting local livelihoods, and mitigating the impacts of climate change.
Through this partnership, XU-MAERS and PJRS reaffirm their commitment to safeguarding ecosystems while empowering communities on the frontlines of environmental challenges.
Forum on Payment for Ecosystem Services in Mt Kalatungan
In addition to its coastal initiatives, XU-MAERS is also preparing for a multi-sectoral forum on the Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) in Mt Kalatungan. To formalize this effort, XU-MAERS has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Xavier Science Foundation (XSF).
The forum will take place on 2 October 2025, at the Xavier University Little Theater. It will serve as a platform for dialogue and collaboration among Indigenous Peoples (IPs), government agencies, civil society organizations, businesses, academic institutions, and cooperatives in advancing sustainable resource conservation in Mt Kalatungan.
Coordination meeting in the preparation of the PES Forum with different organization and offices of XU and XSF,
together with DENR, DOST and the representative of IP community.
The PES initiative envisions the IP community as “sellers,” allocating parts of their ancestral domain for reforestation, while civil society organizations, businesses, government agencies, and individuals act as “buyers,” investing in the preservation of ecosystem services. This system is designed to be a long-term conservation model that reduces disaster risks and strengthens community resilience.
Through this collaboration, XU-MAERS and XSF emphasize their shared commitment to environmental stewardship and inclusive approaches to conservation. The PES Forum marks a significant step toward fostering climate resilience, community empowerment, and sustainable development in Mt Kalatungan and its surrounding areas.
Commitment to Environmental Stewardship
With initiatives like Project CARE and the PES Forum, XU-MAERS continues to demonstrate its holistic approach to environmental protection—addressing both coastal and upland ecosystems. By working closely with partners such as PJRS, XSF, government agencies, civil society groups, and local communities, the Center upholds its mission of resilience, sustainability, and inclusive environmental action.