The University of the Philippines Resilience Institute (UPRI) and National Operational Assessment on Hazards (NOAH) Center was invited to attend the 6th National Youth Environmental Summit last April 22, 2024 to April 24, 2024 at Teacher’s Camp, Baguio City.
On the first day of the summit, UPRI Executive Director Dr. Mahar Lagmay presented a framework for a multi-sectoral approach in resilience and nation-building; the University of the Philippines (UP) as a public service institution that meaningfully contributes to building sustainable, disaster-resilient, and economically progressive local government units (LGUs). To fulfill this vision, UP positions itself as a catalyst that actively shapes outcomes to align with these overarching goals. He also gave a talk on the importance of planning based on scientific principles at the Local Government Unit (LGU) level and urged the LGUs to take advantage of available resources and opportunities (fiscal, technical, social, etc.) to scale up their locality’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) capacity. This includes the utilization of Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund (LDRRMF) for evidence-based adaptation measures, for this will be their basis for various projects, programs, and activities including over 30 plans ranging from Comprehensive Land Use Development Plan, Disaster Risk Reduction Management Plan, and Local Climate Change Action Plan.
The summit was not only attended by DRRM officers and practitioners, but also was attended by a majority from the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) and a selected few were state university students. The role of the youth in achieving resilience and disaster risk reduction was also taken into account, with programs from the university and the government being aimed at them. The youth are also able to contribute in small, individual ways such as sharing information with what they have learned to their families.
The summit was organized by the The Alliance for Green Philippines, Inc. Some of the attendees were Baguio City Mayor, Benjamin B. Magalong, DILG Secretary, Atty. Benjamin C. Abalos Jr., OCD Undersecretary, Ariel F. Nepomuceno, Benguet State University President, Dr. Felipe S. Comila, UP Diliman Ugnayan ng Pahinungód Director, Dr. Jowima Ang-Reyes, and UP-CIFAL Philippines Director, Dr. Michelle R. Palumbarit, who in their own fields are advocates of the attainment of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through collaboration among National Government Agencies, LGUs, Academe, Civil Society and Youth Organizations.
The three-day event seeks to enhance participants’ leadership and communication abilities through the introduction of environmentally friendly concepts. This endeavor aims to cultivate a cadre of Green Ambassadors equipped to lead initiatives and projects aligned with global endeavors to combat climate change. Empowered with this knowledge, Green Ambassadors will effectively engage with individuals and organizations, raising awareness about environmental conditions and the potential hazards posed by harmful human actions.