02/09/2026
๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ซ๐๐ง ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ญ๐ก ๐๐ซ๐ ๐๐ ๐ญ๐จ ๐๐๐ค๐ ๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐ฏ๐ ๐๐จ๐ฅ๐ ๐ข๐ง ๐๐ง๐ฏ๐ข๐ซ๐จ๐ง๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ๐๐ฅ ๐๐ซ๐จ๐ญ๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง
CABADBARAN CITY, Agusan del Norte โ A total of 125 young people gathered here on August 17, 2026, for a one-day Youth Summit that underscored the youthโs vital role in environmental conservation and community development.
Held at the City Social Hall of the Peopleโs Government Center in Barangay 9, the summit was organized by the Local Government Unit of Cabadbaran City, the Office of the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Federation President, and the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) Tubay as part of the celebration of International Youth Day and Linggo ng Kabataan 2026.
The participants, composed of 75 females and 50 males, represented various schools, youth organizations, and the SK, including Doรฑa Rosario National High School, NORCACES Evening Opportunity High School, Cabadbaran City National High School-Senior High School Department, Youth for Environment in Schools Organization (YES-O), Bay-ang Elementary School, Pag-asa Youth Association Cabadbaran Chapter, and GLOW Cabadbaran.
CENR Officer Ruel O. Ladaga of CENRO Tubay called on the young participants to become active partners in protecting the environment and promoting sustainable practices in their schools and communities.
CENRO Ladaga emphasized that the youth can use their influence to encourage responsible environmental practices and support initiatives that contribute to conservation and community development.
A major highlight of the summit was the โTayo ang Saribuhayโ Campaign, facilitated by Stakeholder Engagement Officer Carl Van Lucero of the Eastern Mindanao Biodiversity Corridor (EMBC) Project.
The session introduced the concept of biodiversity and highlighted the interconnectedness of people, wildlife, forests, water systems and other components of the environment. It also emphasized that protecting biodiversity is a shared responsibility among communities, government agencies, organizations and the youth.
The summitโs environmental focus continued in the afternoon with the Ideation of Youth Actions in Environmental Conservation, facilitated by DENR Caraga Regional Youth Desk Officer AO V Ma. Catherine Gonzaga-Yu.
Participants identified environmental concerns in their communities and discussed practical actions that are viable through schools, youth organizations, and local communities.
The session stressed that youth participation in environmental conservation should go beyond awareness, pointing to activities such as biodiversity conservation, proper waste management, tree-growing, coastal and river cleanups, climate action, and environmental information campaigns as concrete ways for young people to contribute.
Other sessions included stress management, HIV awareness, mental health awareness, and the Anti-Illegal Drug Campaign, providing participants with additional information on health, well-being, and responsible decision-making.
Interactive activities and discussions also gave the participants opportunities to share their experiences and ideas. Selected participants received cash incentives from the Office of the SK Federation President.
Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materialsโincluding umbrellas, bucket hats and capsโwere distributed through the Regional Strategic Communication and Information Group and the EMBC Project.
The summit reinforced the need to empower young people not merely as beneficiaries of environmental programs but as active partners and catalysts for environmental action.
Through continued youth engagement, CENRO Tubay and its partners aim to provide young people with the knowledge, opportunities, and platforms for collaboration on biodiversity conservation and address environmental concerns in their communities.
Photo credits to LGU Cabadbaran City
