In a proactive effort to strengthen youth participation in disaster preparedness and climate resilience, the Kabataan Summit on Disaster Risk Reduction 2026 brought together young leaders, government representatives, educators, and environmental advocates in Palawan under the theme, “Resilience Starts at Home: Turning Early Warnings into Community Action for El Niño.”

Held on October 13, 2026, at SM Puerto Princesa, the summit highlighted the vital role of young people in understanding climate-related risks, promoting disaster preparedness, and transforming early warning information into concrete community action, particularly in response to the anticipated impacts of El Niño.

Building Climate Awareness and Preparedness

The summit aimed to empower youth leaders and advocates across Palawan with scientific knowledge and practical skills to help their communities prepare for climate-related hazards. With El Niño posing potential challenges such as water scarcity, drought, and extreme heat, the initiative underscored the importance of translating scientific information into practical measures that families and communities can adopt to reduce risks and strengthen resilience.

The activity gathered approximately 300 participants, including local government and Sangguniang Kabataan representatives, youth development officers, academic institutions, civil society organizations, private-sector representatives, and members of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Youth Contingent. Among the key DENR officials present during the summit were Assistant Secretary Noralene M. Uy, for Policy, Planning, International Affairs, and Climate Change; Assistant Secretary Rochelle Elena A. Gamboa, for Strategic Communications; DENR MIMAROPA Regional Executive Director Felix S. Miral Jr., CESO III; Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) Regional Director Felizardo Gacad Jr., who served as the master of ceremonies; and PENRO Felizardo B. Cayatoc, Ph.D. Their participation highlighted the importance of inter-agency collaboration and youth engagement in advancing climate awareness, water conservation, and disaster preparedness. 

The program featured interactive exhibit booths from participating institutions including the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development, the Local Government Unit of Palawan through the Tubattaha Reefs and Natural Park  Photo Exhibit, the Puerto Princesa Water District, and the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) . 

These exhibits provided participants with opportunities to learn about available technologies, environmental initiatives, and practical approaches to disaster risk reduction.

The summit also featured presentations and discussions on climate extremes, environmental and early warning systems, water security, and community-based preparedness. Speakers shared insights on how scientific information, environmental stewardship, and coordinated action can help communities anticipate hazards and minimize their impacts.

Advancing Youth Leadership and Governance

A key highlight of the summit was the session on Risk-Informed Planning and Anticipatory Action for El Niño, which focused on integrating climate information and early warnings into local planning and preparedness efforts.

The session on Youth Governance: Resilience Starts at Home further emphasized the importance of youth leadership in promoting disaster preparedness and environmental responsibility. Through meaningful participation in local governance, young people can help develop community-based solutions, encourage household preparedness, and strengthen partnerships among government agencies, schools, and civil society organizations.

The summit also featured the Wag Pataksaya Campaign, which promoted responsible water use and environmental stewardship through simple yet meaningful everyday practices. Participants were encouraged to turn off faucets when not in use, take shorter showers, reuse water whenever possible, and water plants early in the morning to minimize evaporation. These small actions, when practiced consistently at home, in schools, and in communities, can help conserve precious water resources, especially amid the threat of El Niño and potential water shortages. The campaign emphasized that water conservation is a shared responsibility and that every drop counts in building climate-resilient communities.

As Palawan communities prepare for the challenges associated with El Niño and other climate-related hazards, empowering young people to act on early warnings remains an important step toward protecting lives, safeguarding natural resources, and building safer, more resilient communities.

Ultimately, resilience starts at home—but its impact grows when informed and empowered young people turn knowledge into action for the benefit of their communities and future generations.