The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) underscored the importance of the youth’s active participation in attaining the United Nations’ (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly disaster risk reduction initiatives.

OCD administrator Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno made this remark in his message during the forum organized by non-government organization Bridging Leaders for Sustainable Development Inc. (BLSD) in Boracay Island, Aklan on April 11 to 14, the OCD said in a news release Friday.

Nepomuceno also expressed support for efforts to empower youth leaders to help them become “more purposeful for the communities and stakeholders that they serve and work with.”

During the forum, OCD officers also discussed the Community-Based Disaster Risk Reduction (CBDRRM), as well as the mainstreaming of DRRM – Climate Change Adaptation in local youth development plans and activities.

Section 3 (e) of Republic Act 10121 or the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010 defines CBDRRM as a process of disaster risk reduction and management in which at-risk communities are actively engaged in the identification, analysis, treatment, monitoring, and evaluation of disaster risks to reduce their vulnerabilities and enhance their capacities, and where the people are at the heart of decision-making and implementation of disaster risk reduction and management activities.

Meanwhile, OCD Assistant Secretary Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV also encouraged young leaders to make use of their voices, talents, and potential to contribute to their communities.

Ranking government officials also called on the Filipino youth to do more in achieving the SDGs.

“I encourage you to seize this opportunity to learn, collaborate and inspire one another. Together, let us affirmn our commitment to the SDGs and work towards building a better future for generations to come,” House Speaker Martin Romualdez said in his message.

Meanwhile, Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte called on the youth to take inspiration from Boracay as a symbol of green transformation in the country.

“Nawa’y hindi natin makalimutan ang kahalagahan ng pagmamahal sa ating kapaligiran. Patuloy tayong makilahok sa kolektibong pagkilos at pagtutulungan para protektahan ang ating kalikasan (Let us not forget the importance of preserving our environment. Let us continue to engage in collective action and cooperation in protecting nature),” she said.

The forum was part of the BLSD’s 5th National Youth Eco Camp with the theme: “The Role of Young People and the Youth in Achieving Sustainable Development Goals.”

The UN’s 17 SDGs, composed of 169 targets, were founded from the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Out of this number, 10 SDGs and 25 targets are related to disaster risk reduction. (PNA)