By Xavier Science Foundation, Inc

Cognizant of Xavier Ateneo’s mission and the spirit of Laudato Si’, the PES Forum kicked off with an engaging opening plenary delivered by Fr Jose Ramon T Villarin, SJ, PhD, Executive Director of the Manila Observatory and former Xavier Ateneo President. His address, titled "From Exploitation to Stewardship: Reimagining Our Relationship with Nature in the Climate Era," immediately framed the forum around the moral imperative of environmental care.

Fr Villarin underscored the moral importance of environmental stewardship, reminding participants that genuine care for the planet begins with care for people, especially those often left at the margins.

“It is important to have people who care for the common good, and that begins with caring for those who are marginalized—our IP brothers and sisters who are pushed to the margins. That is how you care for the common good,” he imparted.

Following the opening plenary, Mr Roel Ravanera, Executive Director of XSF, presented the session "PES: The Mt Kalatungan Experience." This discussion brought together Indigenous leaders, development partners, and youth representatives to share their collective journey in sustaining the mountain's forests and watersheds. Mr Ravanera emphasized that successful ecosystem protection requires unity and shared responsibility, stressing, "We really need to collaborate; we are all interconnected."

Following the main session, participants split into breakout sessions to discuss specific themes, including science and economics, financing, Indigenous knowledge systems, youth participation, and nature-based solutions.

These parallel discussions allowed participants to share experiences and identify ways to strengthen their approaches. Engr Gail de la Rita, Director of the XU Service-Learning Program, later presented the consolidated key ideas that emerged. These guiding principles for future action emphasized the need to: Holistically value nature, institutionalize sustainable financing mechanisms, Integrate Indigenous and Local Knowledge into conservation planning. Empower youth and communities for value-driven action, and Operationalize Nature-based Solutions through community and policy linkages.

The forum concluded with a unified PES Stakeholders’ Commitment Ceremony and Call-to-Action, led by Engr Dexter Lo, Vice President for Social Development. Using Mt Kalatungan as a symbol of resilience, the PES Forum 2025 aimed to inspire concrete commitments, forge new partnerships, and expand nature-based solutions for climate adaptation across Mindanao and beyond. The successful event was organized collaboratively by DOST Region X and DENR Region X, with support from the Forest Foundation Philippines and the National Land Coalition Philippines.