Written by: Janzen Mari Q. Pang | Photos by: Daryne T. Mayol & Janzen Mari Q. Pang
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Region 9 in collaboration with the Panlungsod na Pederasyon ng mga Sangguniang Kabataan ng Dipolog City successfully conducted the WEMBOREE 2024: Changing the Mindset from “ME” to “WE” – Youth Innovators DRR-CCA Leadership held on November 26-28, 2024 at Mt. Moriah, Penacio, Sergio Osmeña, Zamboanga del Norte.
The event was participated by various Sangguniang Kabataan Federated Presidents and Chairpersons from the Zamboanga Peninsula. The event embraced a camping theme, fostering a spirit of unity and camaraderie among participants while encouraging healthy competition by engaging in various activities set against a backdrop of nature. The primary aim of this initiative is to raise awareness and strengthen the engagement and commitment of young leaders in Disaster Risk Reduction and Management.
The participants were engaged in a lecture series delivered by esteemed resource speakers from the Office of the Civil Defense IX and Jose Rizal Memorial State University covering essential topics related to disaster preparedness, the vital role of youth in fostering climate and disaster resilience, and the principles of social innovation and design thinking. In addition, they received insights into the Philippine Youth Development Plan (PYDP) for 2023-2028, which emphasizes empowering the youth to take proactive roles in their communities. The session concluded with an action planning segment, encouraging participants to commit to practical initiatives that align with fostering a sense of responsibility in the face of climate challenges.
To nurture the spirit of the youth, participants were engaged in a program focusing on Response, Recovery, Rehabilitation, and Resource Mobilization through station visits. This immersive experience allowed them to actively participate in various disaster response-related activities showcased by the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), the Philippine Red Cross – Zamboanga del Norte Chapter, and the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (CDRRMO) of Dipolog City, the SKILL Center for Disaster Risk Reduction and Management.
Over the span of three days, the youth engaged in a diverse array of structured learning activities designed to cultivate their leadership abilities and commitment to collaborative efforts in realizing the goals set forth in the various government programs for Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) and Climate Change Adaptation (CCA).