Women and Youth Awardees of the Philippine Resilience Awards 2025 held at the Philippine Normal University as part of the 18th Global Warming and Climate Change Consciousness Week.

MANILA – The Philippine Resilience Awards (PRA) honored three women and five young climate champions whose initiatives are strengthening resilience in their communities. The ceremony was held at the Philippine Normal University in Manila as part of the 18th Global Warming and Climate Change Consciousness Week (CCC Week).

Nominees underwent rigorous assessment and field validation conducted by experts from partner institutions. The evaluation focused on how each initiative reduces vulnerability, strengthens local capacities, and advances innovation in climate and disaster resilience.

From this process, exemplary awardees emerged in both the Women and Youth categories.

In the Women’s Category, Undersecretary Diana Rose S. Cajipe of the Department of Social Welfare and Development was recognized for the  Buong Bansa Handa Program, a supply chain model that enhances operational readiness in relief delivery.

Jenelyn J. Salimbagat of the National University received recognition for the Family Emergency and Disaster Preparedness Plan (FEDPP), a household-based program that equips individuals—especially youth—with practical preparedness skills.

Renebelita F. Fuentebella, Co-Founder and Vice Chair of Damit Dignidad Pilipinas, was recognized for leading the collection and distribution of pre-loved clothing and essential personal items for humanitarian response.

Five young climate champions were recognized in the Youth Category:

Raymart S. Garcia of Barangay Commonwealth, Quezon City, was awarded for the Reskyusi Food Basket Program, which addresses malnutrition and food wastage through sustainable food systems.

Val Amiel Vestil from the Association of Young Environmental Journalists was honored for Kwentong Kalikasan, a storytelling initiative that builds ecological awareness and climate resilience.

Shri Tahanie B. Macaumbao of the National Youth Council received recognition for Green by Design, which promotes waste reduction and water sustainability in communities around Lake Lanao.

Engr. Christian B. Hernandez of Mindanao State University was recognized for Project MOSES, an Internet of Things (IoT) - based weather monitoring system that addresses gaps in localized, real-time weather data in Oriental Mindoro.

Peter John C. Enorio of Cebu Technological University was honored for the Subang Environmental Initiatives, which restore degraded lands and empower communities through nature-based adaptation solutions.

Now in its third year, and anchored on the theme “Kababaihan at Kabataan: Katuwang sa Paghahabi ng Isang Matatag na Bayan,” the PRA highlighted the essential role of women and young leaders in advancing a climate-resilient Philippines.

Senator Loren Legarda described the awardees as changemakers redefining resilience leadership.

“Resilience cannot be achieved without women and youth at the center. They are not victims to be saved; they are leaders, innovators, and torchbearers,” she said.

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

“By recognizing these leaders, we are more than admiring resilience; we are actively investing in it. We are shifting our paradigm from resilience as recovery to resilience as protection and prevention,” he said.

The event gathered institutional partners and members of the PRA network, including  Commissioner Rachel Anne S. Herrera of the Climate Change Commission; Mr. Silvestre Barrameda, Jr. as Executive Director of the National Resilience Council; Engr. Liza B. Silerio, Vice President of SM Prime and ARISE PH; Dr. Joseph Bacareza of ARISE PH; Commissioner Maria Jerika Larize E. Ejercito-Aguilar and Dr. Macario T. Jusayan of the Philippine Commission on Women; Assistant Secretary Gervy James Gumarit of the National Youth Commission; Assistant Secretary Lilian De Leon of the Department of the Interior and Local Government; and Mr. Antonio Emilio Tordesillas of WiNDRR Philippines. Members of the Field Validation Committee and Final Selection Board were also present.

Initiated by Senator Legarda, the Philippine Resilience Awards is a multistakeholder program of the Climate Change Commission in collaboration with the Philippine Commission on Women, National Resilience Council, SM Prime, Women’s International Network on Disaster Risk Reduction, and ARISE Philippines. All awardees will receive continued support to expand and strengthen their resilience initiatives nationwide.

For more inquiries, visit the PRA’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/PRAwards.PH.