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SIARGAO YOUTH TAKING THE LEAD IN CLIMATE ACTION

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On March 27, Action Against Hunger Philippines, in partnership with UNICEF, organized a meeting with youth leaders from the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) and Local Youth Development Office (LYDO) to strengthen Social and Behaviour Change (SBC) strategies for climate action. 

Seven youth leaders from the municipalities of Burgos, Del Carmen, Santa Monica, and San Isidro sat down with Action Against Hunger last March 27 to share their ideas, voice the challenges in their communities, and help shape practical solutions for climate action and clean water access. This meaningful discussion marked the start of a series of activities aimed at empowering young leaders in Siargao to take the lead in creating safer, more climate-resilient communities.

This collaboration is one of the initiatives to strengthen climate-resilient Water,  Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) services in disaster-affected areas, which is part of the Typhoon Odette Recovery and Rehabilitation Towards Climate-Resilient Programme, a partnership between Action Against Hunger Philippines and UNICEF, funded by New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The program is focused on improving local government WASH services, governance mechanisms, and climate adaptation strategies. 

For one year, the program will focus on improving local government WASH services, strengthening governance systems, and supporting climate adaptation strategies across the municipalities of Burgos, San Benito, Del Carmen, Pilar, and Santa Monica in Siargao — emphasizing both technical upgrades and community empowerment.

YOUTH LEADERS AT THE CENTER OF CHANGE

Our meeting with the youth leaders marks the beginning of deeper conversations and lasting collaboration with youth representatives in Siargao. Our goal is clear: to ensure young leaders — especially from the Sangguniang Kabataan and the Local Youth Development Office — are not just included but actively engaged in our efforts. As key advocates for their peers, they play a vital role in raising awareness on clean water, sanitation, and climate change. By equipping them with practical tools and knowledge, we’re helping empower the next generation to lead meaningful, sustainable change in their communities.

Through this collaboration, we also aim to support youth leaders by helping them develop the skills and knowledge they need to guide positive and lasting changes in their communities, especially as part of local decision-making and leadership. Their unique perspective and strong connection to their communities make them essential in promoting lasting behavior change and ensuring that the voices of young people are heard and reflected in local development efforts.

In photo: Louie Ville Oro, the Municipal Agriculturist in Santa Monica and LYDO Designate of Santa Monica in-charge to perform and supervise all youth programs.

“Young people are crucial in influencing local government policies and implementing sustainable solutions for climate resilience and WASH improvements,” said Louie Ville Oro, the Municipal Agriculturist of Santa Monica and LYDO representative. “I’m positive that through this session, we can harmonize our outcomes at the LYDO level and integrate them into the Local Youth Development Plan. That way, whenever there are financial opportunities or budget alignments, the municipality can support.”

The initial meeting served as a vital space to align youth leaders on shared strategies and directions for climate action, while also laying the groundwork for deeper collaboration.  Importantly, this is only the beginning. This is the first session of planned engagements with this youth leader. Future sessions will support them in developing clear and actionable social and behavior change strategies tailored to the context of their community, ensuring their ideas and initiatives are translated into concrete actions and integrated into local development planning.

During the discussion, Louie emphasized how young leaders can lead locally grounded solutions, even with minimal resources. “The facilitator gave us a toolkit from UNICEF — that is the one I was looking for, and I’m excited to go deeper. Because that toolkit will be the guide for the SK to roll it out at the barangay level: to identify the problem, to analyze a possible solution that can be feasible at the SK level considering the minimal budget.”

Through dynamic focus group discussions, participants carried out a rapid behavior assessment, providing valuable insights into the challenges their communities face around WASH and climate resilience. Working together in a spirit of openness and mutual learning, the youth leaders thoughtfully analyzed key local issues. This process helped them identify specific behavioral changes needed in their communities and propose concrete solutions to address them.

 

 

This initiative underlines the crucial role youth play in shaping their future, especially in the face of a climate crisis that disproportionately affects the Philippines.  Between 2016 and 2021, nearly nine million Filipino youth were impacted by climate change-related disasters, according to UNICEF. 

And it’s more than true in Siargao where the environmental pressure is growing. Not just from natural factors but also from tourism, waste management challenges, and fragile ecosystems. 

The island also experiences limited freshwater supply, with local springs drying up during summer and groundwater sources experiencing saltwater intrusion. These issues disproportionately affect disadvantaged and remote communities, leaving them without potable water for drinking and domestic use. 

“I’m expecting that we will go deeper as we move forward…It’s an eye opener because it’s a new challenge but we’re going to be involved more, especially since we live in an island community and taking climate action is very important,” said Louie. 

These young leaders in Siargao are determined now more than ever to dedicate time and energy in helping shape how their communities approach water, sanitation, and hygiene — especially in the face of disasters and a changing climate. Their fresh perspectives and creative ideas open up new ways of tackling long-standing challenges, often bringing to light practical solutions that may not have been considered before.

Additionally, youth leaders are digitally savvy and can leverage technology for awareness campaigns, data collection, and communication about WASH, DRR, and Climate Change Adaptation (CCA). Their ability to harness technology and digital communication tools allows them to run effective awareness campaigns, collect data, and engage peers in positive WASH behaviors and DRR practices.

“I think that [a strong familiarity with technology and digital tools] is one of the best assets of today’s youth. Considering the technology available, it is possible that the SK can elevate strategies and drive changes,” said Louie. However, he also points out that not all communities can rely on digital tools alone, so a combination of traditional and modern channels must be explored and there’s a growing need for adaptive communication strategies. “Maybe we can utilize another platform of communication. Some barangays in Siargao have public audio systems : they can broadcast. Those are early warning systems or even for barangay assemblies.”

A NEW GENERATION DRIVING LOCAL SOLUTIONS FOR THE FUTURE

Action Against Hunger and UNICEF are fostering a new generation of climate advocates who will drive sustainable change in their communities by equipping youth leaders with the knowledge, skills, and tools they need. This initiative affirms the influence and capability of youth-led solutions to tackle the pressing environmental challenges affecting vulnerable populations across the Philippines, especially in Siargao.

COMMUNITIES IN MAGUINDANAO DEL SUR GRAPPLE WITH WIDESPREAD FLOODING AND URGENT NEEDS

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Maguindanao del Sur, Philippines — When the rain started pouring hard on May 14, 76-year-old Lambaino from Barangay Dabenayan did not think much of it. “We saw the clouds and thought it would rain,” she said. “But we didn’t expect it would be that strong. Before we knew it, the flood was inside our house.” 

Since May 14, 2025, more than 230,000 individuals across Maguindanao del Sur have been affected by massive flooding following days of continuous heavy rain, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC). The floods have submerged over 100 barangays across the province. The municipalities of Ampatuan, Datu Piang, and Mamasapano have officially declared a state of calamity as floodwaters continue to rise and disrupt daily life. Flooding has also reached parts of Maguindanao del Norte.

Based on our initial rapid assessments, only limited aid has reached some communities since the flooding began. As a result, there is a growing need for food, clean water, sanitation, and hygiene kits, medicines, and other essential support. Illnesses such as fever, diarrhea, and skin infections are spreading, and mental health support is becoming increasingly important as families cope with stress and uncertainty.

More than 1,000 families in Mamasapano were initially displaced to evacuation centers, but have recently returned to their homes or are staying with relatives in higher areas. People are relying on small loans and borrowing goods from local stores to get by. Others are waiting for the floodwaters to subside so they can return to farming.

Lambaino’s family is one of the families in Mamasapano facing this difficult situation. While they did not evacuate, she shares that ever since the flooding started, whenever it rains, they would seek shelter far from coconut trees or large branches that may fall on their home which they fear may not withstand the impact.

Her family also depends on farming for their daily survival. But the recent floods have destroyed their crops such as rice, vegetables, and even newly planted fields. “Now we’re borrowing rice from stores along the highway just to eat,” she said.

In photo: Lambaino with the emergency kits her family received from ACCESS. (Photo by Aladin Dadir for Action Against Hunger)

Action Against Hunger is rapidly responding to these needs, delivering emergency aid through the ACCESS project, with funding support from EU Humanitarian Aid. In Mamasapano, we are reaching at least 552 families—including those in Barangay Dabenayan—with water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) kits and basic food pack, including 10 kilograms of rice per household as an effort to complement the local government’s ongoing initiatives.

When asked how they plan to move forward, Lambaino reflects, “if we ever rebuild, it needs to be a two-story house. You can’t build too high because of the strong winds, but it’s not safe to stay low either.”

In photo: Families from Barangay Dabenayan, Mamasapano affected by the flood received WASH kits and food aid consisting of basic food supplies and 10 kg of rice as part of ACCESS’ rapid response. (Photo by Aladin Dadir for Action Against Hunger)

Recovery will take time, but through the collective efforts of the ACCESS consortium and with the support of EU Humanitarian Aid, we are working with communities in Mamasapano so that affected families like Lambaino’s receive the urgent assistance they need to cope during these hard times. Action Against Hunger is continuously coordinating with local stakeholders and partners to respond to this emergency and identify remaining gaps in access to clean water, food, and safety.

The ACCESS consortium, funded by the EU Humanitarian Aid, comprises five international and nine national and local organizations, including CARE, Action Against Hunger, Save the Children, Humanity and Inclusion, Assistance and Cooperation for Community Resilience and Development (ACCORD), Pambansang Koalisyon ng Kababaihan sa Kanayunan (PKKK), Community Organizers Multiversity (COM), Mindanao Organization for Social and Economic Progress (MOSEP), Integrated Mindanaoans Association for Natives (IMAN), Notre Dame of Jolo College Community Extension Services and Peace Center (NDJC), Nagdilaab Foundation, and Leading Individuals to Flourish and Thrive (LIFT).

 Written by: Joyce Anne Sandajan