DRR-CCA empowerment summit held for out of school youth in Bicol

By Sally A. Atento

LEGAZPI CITY, Sept 10 (PIA) -- The Philippine Navy-Naval Forces Southern Luzon (Navforsol), together with other multi-stakeholders in the Bicol region, gathered some 110 out-of-school-youths for the Bicol Youth Empowerment Summit (YES). 

The summit was held at the Coastal View Resort, Sto. Domingo Albay last August 27 to 29. 

The three-day training and team-building activities for this year’s YES was anchored on the theme “Harnessing the Youth Sector in DRR-CCA towards Disaster Resilient Communities.” 

Captain Rommel Jason Galang, Navforsol commander, said the theme is in line with the need to rally support from government and non-government institutions during occurrences of disasters to prevent emergencies, mitigate effects and ensure provision for those in need. 

“The Office of Civil Defense together with the Naval Forces Southern Luzon identified the necessity to educate youth sector most especially the OSY on issues related to Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaption on their level of appreciation for the reason that they are highly vulnerable for this phenomena where recorded numbers of casualties belongs to this youth sectors,” Galang said. 

Galang added they expected participants in the said summit to be empowered with renewed techniques in managing duties and responsibilities in their respective community and be responsive to the current issues and concerns of society. 

Among the issues and concerns discussed on the second day of the summit are Internal Peace and Security Plan Bayanihan, Maritime Domain Awareness, Human Trafficking program, HIV/AIDS prevention, DRR Management and Basic Life Support. 

Members of the Philippine Army, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Naval Forces Southern Luzon and PAO also took turns in capacitating the participants on Disaster Rescue Operations through hands-on orientations on knot tying or seamanship skills, extrication of patients and rappelling techniques, water rescue and other life saving techniques in water. 

YES is part of the multi-sectoral and multi-dimensional approach in guiding and preparing the youth to be globally competitive on the near future. 

Together with Navforsol in implementing the said advocacy in the region are the Office of the Civil Defense, Department of Social Welfare and Development, National Youth Commission, Tactical Operation Group, 901st Brigade PA, and the Provincial Government of Albay. (SAL/MAL/Albay)