BUSINESS

eYAA backs tourism, climate resilience

Mico Virata · Jul 18, 2026, 10:29 PM

(center-right) Datuk Shahril Azuar Jimin, Head of Sustainability Division, Maybank Group, and Dr. Piti Srisangnam, Executive Director of the ASEAN Foundation at a press conference session to launch the eMpowering Youths Across ASEAN (eYAA): Cohort 6 program. During the session, Datuk Shahril and Dr. Piti said that the implementation of eYAA: Cohort 6 brought several important achievements. For example, the Lao Democratic People's Republic (Laos) which joined as the implementing country for the first time. In fact, Timor-Leste's accession as the 11th ASEAN Member State, resulting in an increase in the number of Young Volunteers from 100 to 110.

Young Filipinos are taking on a bigger role in strengthening tourism livelihoods and preparing communities for climate-related disasters under the latest batch of the eMpowering Youths Across ASEAN (eYAA) program.

Supported by the ASEAN Foundation and Maybank Foundation, eYAA Cohort 6 will implement two Philippine projects focused on improving employment opportunities in tourism and building climate resilience in vulnerable communities.

In Puerto Princesa City, Filipino Hospitality Management and Consultancy will roll out the “Y.E.S. We Can! Youth Empowerment Series,” which provides practical hospitality training, digital tourism skills and entrepreneurship courses for disadvantaged youth, including out-of-school individuals, orphans and members of minority groups.

The initiative is expected to directly benefit 1,240 people while expanding employment opportunities in the local tourism industry.

In La Union, CURMA Group Inc. will implement “Climate Resilient Communities,” a program that will train 100 youth and community leaders as Climate Resilience First Responders.

The project includes disaster preparedness, psychological first aid, environmental stewardship and livelihood support for coastal communities affected by extreme weather.