DATU ODIN SINSUAT, MAGUINDANAO, July 2023 – The Climate Change Commission(CCC) highlighted the vital role of graduates and the youth in addressing climate change, challenging them to become champions of climate action.

At the 45th Commencement Exercises of Mindanao State University – Maguindanao Campus, CCC Vice Chairperson and Executive Director Robert E.A. Borje in his speech challenged the graduates to be active leaders for climate change action. |

Building on the event’s theme "Braving Currents, Forging Partners, and Serving Humanity," Secretary Borje emphasized the importance of collaboration in addressing climate change.

“The future is now. The leaders are here. I see in each of you the same potential, passion and desire to serve. In order to succeed, you must cultivate the ‘we mentality’ and leave behind the ‘me mentality.’ You would be surprised to learn how the power of collaboration and small acts of kindness can make a difference, especially in facing the challenges of climate change,” he said. 

Last year, the municipality of Datu Odin Sinsuat, where MSU Maguindanao is located, suffered heavy flooding due to Tropical Storm Paeng, demonstrating that climate change is an existential threat. Nearly 2 million individuals, or close to 600,000 families, were affected by Paeng in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

Secretary Borje stated, “These are not just numbers. These are real people with real lives with real problems that we need to solve. We need to act swiftly and systematically, dahil buhay, kabuhayan at kinabukasan nating mga Pilipino ang nakataya.”

With impacts of climate change and other challenges felt in armed conflict areas, Rahima Akmad, Class Valedictorian of 2023, shared how resilience is built even at a young age. 
“I spent my next years inside the SPMS box, or what we call the armed conflict area, in pursuit of a ‘better education.’ Nonetheless, those events did not stop me from achieving my dreams. MSUan ata ito! In fact, they even gave me the courage to be the person I wanted to be,” she said.

Akmad added, “MSU-Maguindanao is the only university in Maguindanao that provides deprived people like me a fighting chance to have a quality education. Kaya maraming salamat po Pamantasang Mindanao. This university gave me opportunities to reconnect with my past to build my present and prepare for my future.”

The CCC continues to work with state universities and colleges, and higher education institutions in mainstreaming climate action across generations and sectors, with focus on educating and involving the youth. 

For more information on the Climate Change Commission’s mainstreaming activities, visit https://climate.gov.ph and www.facebook.com/CCCPHL.