As the Philippines becomes a Party to the Paris Agreement and in observance of Earth Day yesterday, the YesPinoy Foundation Inc., the National Youth Commission (NYC) and the Climate Change Commission (CCC) will strengthen their partnership for #NowPH or Not On Our Watch Philippines, the country’s youth in climate action movement.

#NowPH, which was launched in 2015, gathered 3.6 million signatures to give support to the Paris Agreement during the 21st Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. The said campaign resulted in the issuance of Proclamation No. 1160 that declares November 25 of every year as the National Day for Youth in Climate Action.

As a sustaining effort for the campaign, The Movement will reach out to 10 million climate action and resilience warriors. YesPinoy, NYC, and CCC agreed on making #NowPH as the country’s prime movement projected to engage the global community in encouraging the youth to participate in climate action and disaster risk reduction efforts.

Dingdong Dantes, YesPinoy’s Founding Chairman expounded how forming a culture of climate and disaster and resilience starts with youth empowerment and engagement. “The country is highly vulnerable to climate change and disaster, and we should engage the Filipino youth, who comprise 30 percent of the country’s population, to secure a sustainable future,” he said.

#NowPH mainly focuses on climate action but will also be prioritizing disaster risk reduction efforts. This will be in line with the government’s effort to synergize the climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction management. According to NYC Commissioner-at-Large Paul Pangilinan, the youth already initiated participation in local disaster risk reduction initiatives.

He said, “The momentum of youth participation in climate change and disaster concerns has already been set and this can serve as platform to advance our advocacy.”

United States Agency for International Development B-LEADERS Project, United Nations Children’s Fund, GMA Network and MovePH of Rappler are the partners of #NowPH who will be renewing their support in the movement. #NowPH will also expand by engaging the youth of Southeast Asia through the #NowASEAN.

According Climate Change Commission Secretary Vernice Victorio, The Philippines, despite being a developing vulnerable nation, is regarded as a strong moral voice in climate negotiations. He said, “Being a Party to the Agreement entails urgent implementation of climate actions and initiatives to reduce disaster risks, and the Filipino youth will play a key role in achieving these goals.”

#NowASEAN’s goal is to launch the Southeast Asian Youth in Climate Action Network or SAYCAN and issue the ASEAN Proclamation on Youth in Climate Action Day to accord with the Philippines’ Youth in the Climate Action Day. #

Source: http://www.gmanetwork.com/entertainment/showbiznews/news/30411/dingdong-dantes-yespinoy-foundation-nyc-ccc-strengthen-partnership-for-nowph/story/