By Cychris Rosalada, Office of the President
and Glenda Factura, Green Campus Agenda, VP Admin Office
Fr Mars P Tan, SJ receives the award with the other awardee schools from Region X
Xavier University ranked among the top five schools in the National Search for Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Schools in the country, earning a Plaque of Excellence and a ₱100,000 cash prize. The award recognizes institutions for their innovative and impactful sustainability practices integrated into their curricula, research, operations, and social engagement.
The search, launched in 2009 by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) through the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB), is conducted in collaboration with the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED). XU President Fr Mars P Tan, SJ formally received the award on 22 April 2026, at Seda Vertis North in Quezon City.
Alongside XU, two other institutions from Region X secured spots in the national top five: Bukidnon State University (BukSU), represented by University President Dr Joy M Mirasol, and Central Mindanao University (CMU), represented by University President Dr Rolito G Eballe. DENR-EMB Region X Director Reynaldo S Digamo attended the awarding ceremony, showing the Bureau’s ongoing support for partnerships with schools and for promoting environmental education as part of sustainable development.
Fr Mars, pointing to the list of notable sustainable and eco-friendly practices of XU
XU stood out for several notable initiatives. These include its operational vermicomposting facility, centralized rainwater harvesting system, cafeteria-wide reusable bento box policy, campus-wide prohibition of single-use plastics, use of organic cleaning agents, and installation of solar-powered street lamps. Among these, the university’s vermicomposting facility was highly commended by validators for being well-maintained and for producing high-quality compost.
The following are the notable sustainable and eco-friendly practices of XU:
VERMI Composting Facility
Installation of solar-powered street lamps
Underground cistern as a rainwater harvesting system
Use of organic cleaning agents
The SWEEP CDOC Waste-to-Power Facility, led by Dr Maria Theresa Cabaraban, showcases innovative approaches to convert waste to energy through gasification. The Green BioH2E R&D Laboratory, headed by Dr Shierlyn Paclijan, advances research in renewable and clean energy through microbial electrolysis. Funded by the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD), both research projects are aimed to produce sustainable and renewable energy from waste water and materials.
SWEEP CDOC Waste-to-Power Facility and Green BioH2E R&D Laboratory
XU Officials and DENR-EMB validators for the National Search for Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Schools (NSSEFS)
XU acknowledges the individuals and offices that played a pivotal role in the success of the Field Validation Visit for the National Search for Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Schools (NSSEFS), which culminated in XU’s achievement of the Top 5 Award.
The Field Validation Visit was successfully conducted through strong collaboration among university offices. Spearheaded by the Office of the Vice President for Administration (VP Admin), led by Engr George Abasolo, Ms Glenda Factura, Ms Camelot Mutia, and Engr Arrantxa I Quipanes—the team ensured that all institutional requirements were met while maintaining close coordination with external partners.
Supporting the administrative efforts, the Office of the Vice President for Social Development (VP SocDev), headed by Engr Dexter S Lo and supported by Ms Therese Vallente, Ms Cherry Selma, and Mr Jan Carlos Arquiza, worked alongside the Strategy and Quality Management Office (SQMO) under Engr Gerardo Doroja, with Ms Juliet Halibas, Engr Russell Raluto, and Mr Mario Neri, as well as the DMSI Team. Together, they effectively managed the event’s core operations, including program design, technical requirements, venue set up, and catering arrangements. The Communications and Promotions Office handled documentation of this milestone event.
During the conference with validators, Campus of the Future Planning and Development Office (CoF) Director Engr Lennie K Ong presented XU’s sustainability and eco-friendly programs. The session was attended by Fr Mars P Tan, SJ, and members of the President’s Council, including VP Admin Engr George Abasolo, VP SocDev Engr Dexter S Lo, and SQMO Director Engr Gerardo Doroja. Also in attendance were key representatives from various University offices and units supporting sustainability initiatives. These included Ms Glenda Factura of the Green Campus Agenda; Mr Joel Francisco, Pollution Control and Compliance Officer; Dr Ann Charlette Cabana of the Campus of the Future Office; and Ms Therese Vallente of the Office of the VP for SocDev, who also joined the session.
Representing the Physical Plant Office (PPO) were Mr Edison Sotto, Engr Joselito Mesias, and Engr Alvin Tayactac. In addition, Mr Nestor Banuag of the Social Involvement and Advocacy Program (SIAP), Ms Anne Bungcasan of the McKeough Advancement for Environment, Resilience, and Sustainability Center (MAERS), and Mr Lex Zulieta of the Biophilic Society were present. Their participation further underscored the University’s collaborative commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship.
A campus tour highlighting key sustainability initiatives across the University was successfully facilitated through the collaborative efforts of the CoF Office, the VP SocDev Office, and the VP Admin Office. The organizers also expressed their gratitude to Dr Maria Theresa Cabaraban and Dr Shierlyn Paclijan for generously opening their laboratories as part of the tour.
The final version of the report was prepared by Ms Glenda Factura in close collaboration with the SQMO under the leadership of Dr Gerardo Doroja, with Dr Hercules Cascon, Ms Juliet Halibas, Engr Russell Raluto, and Mr Mario Neri. It was also developed with the Office of the Vice President for SocDev, headed by Engr Dexter S Lo with Ms Therese Vallente, and the CoF Office, led by Engr Lennie K Ong with Dr Ann Charlette Cabana. The Physical Plant Office, headed by Mr Edison Sotto, with Engr Joselito Mesias and Engr Alvin Tayactac, also contributed together with the President’s Council, whose collaborative work ensured the report was comprehensive and well-integrated.
This recognition as a Top 5 national awardee in the National Search for Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Schools is a shared achievement of XU, made possible through the collective efforts of its offices, units, and the entire Xavier University community in advancing sustainability and environmental stewardship.