FOR the second year, First Gen Corporation brought together young climate champions in Pantabangan, Nueva Ecija, through the Youth for Climate and Energy Leadership Summit (YCELS), reaffirming its commitment to empowering the next generation of environmental leaders.

Held in celebration of Philippine Environment Month and the Lopez Envi Festival, the second run of YCELS gathered 28 students from Pantabangan National High School (PNHS) and Cadaclan Integrated School (CIS) for a two-day learning summit at First Gen Hydro Power Corporation.

The summit introduced participants to climate science, the evolving energy landscape, youth leadership and youth-led climate action. Students also learned from experts and advocates from the Climate Change Commission, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Waves for Water, MAD Earth, YGOAL Inc., New Energy Nexus Philippines, Oscar M. Lopez Center and Abot Tala Community.

Building on these learning sessions, the students formed teams and developed climate action projects (CAPs) that respond to environmental issues in their schools and communities. Over the following weeks, they refined their proposals through mentoring sessions with First
Gen and its partners.

The students presented their CAP proposals during the YCELS presentation and awarding ceremonies at PNHS and CIS. Five student teams were selected to receive seed funding from First Gen to help bring their CAPs to life.

First, PNHS Supreme Secondary Learner Government (SSLG) will build an ecofriendly learning space from recycled plastic bottles while promoting responsible waste management. Second, PNHS Barkada Kontra Droga (BKD) will convert plastic caps into eco-pebbles for hydroponics and eco-bricks. Third, PNHS Youth for Environment in Schools Organization (YESO) will establish a solar powered rainwater harvesting and irrigation system for an herbal garden. Fourth, CIS SSLG will develop a school garden alongside waste management and tree-planting initiatives. Lastly, CIS BKD and YES-O will implement Project GREEN+, promoting proper waste segregation and recycled bottle vertical gardens.

PNHS YES-O also received the most innovative project award and supplemental funding to further support the implementation of its CAP.

The CAPs were evaluated by a panel led by Nestor Bartolome, forestry specialist of First Gen Hydro; Angelino Tuliao, Pantabangan municipal environment and natural resources officer; and barangay councilors Jhune Vallejos of Villarica and Ernesto de Vera Jr. of Cadaclan.


Members of one of the Pantabangan National High School teams present their climate action project blueprints

By Dianne Toledo