PASAY CITY, December 5, 2019 – In celebration of the Global Warming and Climate Change Consciousness Week, the Department of Education’s (DepEd) Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Service (DRRMS) provided 23 learners the platform to present their climate change adaptation and mitigation proposals at the 3rd National Climate Change Conference with the theme: “From Lessons to Actions: Bridging Schools to Communities, Toward Addressing Climate Challenges” on November 18 at SMX Convention Center Manila.

In her keynote message, Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda underscored the role of the education sector in responding to the climate crisis.  “Widespread recognition of the youth and the role that they play is needed, and that is what this event provides,” Legarda said.

The 3rd NCCC provided a venue for 12 groups of high school students from various regions nationwide in showcasing technological innovations, policy proposals, and advocacy campaigns on climate change adaptation and mitigation; and a platform for discourse and collaboration among learners, industries, social entrepreneurs, academe, civil society, and other stakeholders.

  • Deputy Speaker Loren B. Legarda receives her token and certificate of appreciation

“The climate strike is a manifestation of success in education that can be seen among students who believe[s] in science and that they are part in taking care of what is left. It is a manifestation that education [have] has reached our hearts and inspired us to rally behind what scientists say,” Joshua O. Villalobos, Grade 12 student, co-convener of Youth for Climate Hope (YCH), and one of the young people behind #CoalFreeNegros, appealed to educators in the audience.

Also, Joana Mari Pura, a Grade 7 student from Gubat National High School and active member of Seeds of Dreams of ABS-CBN Foundation, challenged the young at heart to participate in climate action.

The mentors and speakers  during the conference were Manila Observatory; World Vision International; Oscar M. Lopez Center for Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Management Foundation, Inc.; Climate Action for Sustainability Initiative; Plan International; Asian Institute of Management – Dado Banatao Incubator; Communities Organized for Resource Allocation (CORA); Philippine Reef and Rainforest Conservation Foundation Inc. (PRRCFI); Youth For A Livable Cebu (YFLC); World Wide Fund for Nature Philippines; UNICEF Philippines; Greenpeace Southeast Asia; PhilDev Foundation; Youth Strike for Climate PH; UNDRR-ARISE Philippines;  National Resilience Council; and Balangay Entertainment.

The 3rd National Climate Change Conference was organized with the support of Save the Children, Oscar M. Lopez Center for Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Management, World Vision Development Foundation, Inc., Plan International, and Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation.

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