The Department of the Interior and Local Government – National Capital Region (DILG-NCR), through the Local Government Capability Development Division (LGCDD) and in partnership with Save the Children, conducted a youth camp on disaster preparedness and response on September 19-20, 2024 at Phillip’s Sanctuary, Antipolo City, Rizal.

Bearing the theme, “Gen Z Resilience Ready,” the two-day activity was designed to empower Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials and representatives of Local Youth Development Offices (LYDOs) in NCR to become more effective contributors to disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) by equipping them with knowledge, skills, and tools needed to implement the priorities of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (SFDRR) 2015-2030.

In her welcoming remarks, DILG-NCR Regional Director Maria Lourdes L. Agustin, CESO III emphasized the role of the youth as agents of change in driving initiatives and implementing innovative strategies that enhance disaster preparedness and foster community engagement.

“Higit sa lahat, umaasa kami, kasama ang ating mga pinagsisilbihang pamayanan, na ang anumang mapupulot ninyo mula sa aktibidad na ito ay ibabahagi ninyo sa iba pang mga kabataan na inyong makakadaupang-palad at makakasama tungo sa pagpapanday ng likas-kayang kinabukasan para sa lahat,” RD Agustin stated.

To officially kick off the youth camp, LGCDD Acting Chief Luigi D.C. Pilarta briefly discussed the objectives of the activity, highlighting the integration of workshops and other collaborative exercises to ensure an immersive learning experience for the participants.

As part of the activities set for the camp, participants engaged in various team exercises that enabled them to connect and collaborate with youth leaders from other NCR LGUs. This was followed by a brief processing session, where they expressed their insights on the activities in relation to DRRM.

Shortly after, Save the Children Training Coordinator Pepito Romero facilitated the DRR Numbers game, providing an overview of the impacts of hazards and disasters in the Philippines through numerical data and statistics.

The second day of the youth camp commenced with a discussion on DRRM and Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation (CCAM) concepts, as well as related laws and policies, led by Mr. Romero. He also underscored the importance of collectively analyzing community vulnerabilities and capacities through presenting the process and tools needed for the conduct of Participatory Community Risk Assessment (PCRA). 

Subsequently, the youth leaders participated in the Early Warning System Game and Building Trust and Cooperation Workshop facilitated by Save the Children Community Development Officer Imee Aguillon and Program Development Officer Razelle Garcia. Through these activities, participants were apprised on the significance of early warning systems and the crucial role that trust-building among diverse groups plays in both peacebuilding and DRR efforts.

Save the Children Advocacy and Campaigns Coordinator Jane Paola Sison then provided a thorough walkthrough of the campaign planning process, guiding participants in creating effective DRRM campaigns.

Finally, Ms. Aguillon headed a workshop on developing pitches and SMART ideas for DRRM-CCAM, providing the youth leaders a platform to propose innovative programs aimed at addressing the challenges of disasters and climate change in their respective communities.

To conclude the activity, DILG-NCR Assistant Regional Director Atty. Ana Lyn R. Baltazar-Cortez, CESO IV, stressed on the vital contributions of the youth in developing innovative and comprehensive strategies in the field of DRRM.

“It is our hope that we all remain united in our efforts and persist in our commitment to collectively achieve our goal of reducing the vulnerability and enhancing the resilience of our local communities in the National Capital Region,” Atty. Baltazar-Cortez expressed in closing.

The Gen Z Resilience Ready: A Youth Camp on Disaster Preparedness and Response is one of the Department’s initiatives geared towards enhancing disaster preparedness and empowering future leaders in NCR. The said camp is anchored on the WEmboree approach, which gathers young people from different communities and organizations to celebrate one goal—”Changing the Mindset from Me to WE.”