Women, youth climate champions recognized at Philippine Resilience Awards 2025

Women and young leaders making waves in climate and disaster resilience were honored at the Philippine Resilience Awards (PRA) 2025, held at the Philippine Normal University in Manila as part of the 18th Global Warming and Climate Change Consciousness Week.

The awards recognized three women and five youth whose initiatives have strengthened the capacity of their communities to adapt to climate change and disasters.

Nominees underwent a rigorous assessment and field validation process led by experts from partner institutions, evaluating programs that reduce vulnerability, build local capacity, and foster innovation in climate resilience.

Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Undersecretary Diana Rose Cajipem was honored for the Buong Bansa Handa Program, a supply chain model that enhances operational readiness for disaster relief.

Further, Jenelyn Salimbagat of the National University received recognition for her Family Emergency and Disaster Preparedness Plan (FEDPP), which equips households, particularly youth, with practical preparedness skills.

Renebelita Fuentebella, Co-Founder and Vice Chair of Damit Dignidad Pilipinas, was awarded for her leadership in collecting and distributing pre-loved clothing and essential personal items for humanitarian response.

The Youth Category spotlighted five rising leaders, including Raymart Garcia of Barangay Commonwealth, Quezon City, for the Reskyusi Food Basket Program, which promotes sustainable food systems to address malnutrition and food waste; Val Amiel Vestil of the Association of Young Environmental Journalists for Kwentong Kalikasan, a storytelling initiative fostering ecological awareness; Shri Tahanie Macaumbao of the National Youth Council for Green by Design, which advances waste reduction and water sustainability in Lake Lanao communities; Engr. Christian Hernandez of Mindanao State University for Project MOSES, an IoT-based weather monitoring system providing localized, real-time weather data in Oriental Mindoro; and Peter John Enorio of Cebu Technological University for Subang Environmental Initiatives, which restore degraded lands while empowering communities through nature-based adaptation.

Now in its third year, the PRA carries the theme “Kababaihan at Kabataan: Katuwang sa Paghahabi ng Isang Matatag na Bayan”, highlighting the essential role of women and youth in building a climate-resilient Philippines.

Senator Loren Legarda, PRA initiator, praised the awardees as “changemakers redefining resilience leadership,” stressing that women and youth are leaders, innovators, and torchbearers—not passive recipients of aid.

Meanwhile, Climate Change Commission Vice Chairperson and Executive Director Robert E.A. Borje underscored the importance of recognizing local climate champions.

“By recognizing these leaders, we are more than admiring resilience; we are actively investing in it,” he said.

The event drew partners from government, private, and civil society sectors, including the Philippine Commission on Women, National Resilience Council, SM Prime, WiNDRR Philippines, and ARISE PH, alongside members of the Field Validation Committee and Final Selection Board.

The Philippine Resilience Awards, a multistakeholder program led by Senator Legarda in collaboration with the Climate Change Commission and partner organizations, will continue supporting awardees to expand and strengthen their resilience initiatives nationwide.