Xavier University President, Fr Mars P Tan, SJ, with XU Vice President for Social Development Engr Dexter S Lo and Director of the Social Involvement and Advocacy Program (SIAP) Mr Nestor M Banuag Jr, participated in the 2nd Mindanao Youth Convergence (MYC) on the Water-Energy-Food Nexus last 19 November 2025. This event was organized by the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) and took place at the Mallberry Suites Business Hotel. The theme of the conference was “Promoting the Water, Energy, and Food Nexus Approach for Youth Empowerment and Sustainable Development.”
The main highlight of the event is the signing ceremony for the Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC), in which Fr Mars committed Xavier University, along with other participating agencies and organizations, to a unified pledge aimed at promoting initiatives that strengthen the Water-Energy-Food (WEF) Nexus approach, fostering a more resilient and sustainable Mindanao.
The MYC brought together youth and student leaders, government agencies, private sector partners, and international organizations to collectively tackle the critical challenges related to the natural resources and sustainability of Mindanao. This collaboration focused on understanding the Water-Energy-Food (WEF) Nexus approach. Student leaders and volunteers from Xavier University also participated in the event.
As a plenary speaker, Fr Mars emphasized the importance of understanding the basics of water, energy, and food, then on the next level, the interconnectedness of the water-energy-food (WEF) nexus. He discussed the challenges related to the productivity of water, energy, and food, explaining its potential cause-and-effect relationships, and highlighting the need to find sustainable solutions through this approach.
The WEF Nexus is a conceptual and policy framework that views water, energy, and food security as interconnected systems, rather than treating them as separate issues. This collaborative approach aims to manage these three sectors together to identify synergies, address trade-offs, and promote sustainable development.