In response to recent natural disasters, young advocates from across Central Visayas converged in Cebu City for a significant environmental initiative. The three-day "Galam Kalikupan" climate and environment workshop, held from November 25 to 27, 2025, was spearheaded by the Department of Education (DepEd) Region 7. The event aimed to galvanize youth-led action against the escalating climate crisis.
Empowering the Next Generation of Environmental Stewards
The summit brought together a dynamic assembly of Supreme Secondary Learner Government (SSLG) presidents, Youth for Environment in Schools Organization (YES-O) officers, and various youth advocates. Through plenary sessions, workshops, and interactive activities, the program focused on equipping participants with practical knowledge and skills in Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation (C-CAM).
Dr. Salustiano Jimenez, DepEd Region 7 Director, personally attended the event to motivate the attendees. He commended the active participation of the region's student leaders in crucial endeavors. The program's design, as explained by DepEd Cebu City Youth Formation Coordinator Rechel Buselak, was intentionally aligned with the existing advocacies of the student delegates, fostering a sense of ownership and relevance.
A Student-Led Initiative from Concept to Execution
Remarkably, Galam Kalikupan originated from the students themselves. DepEd Region 7 Youth Formation Coordinator Johnnyline Jagdon revealed that the project was first proposed by delegates during the 2024 Learners Convergence Philippines, with C-CAM as its foundational principle. "Except for the plenary talks and booth exhibition, Galam Kalikupan was a student-led activity," Jagdon emphasized. The hosting and execution were meticulously conceptualized and managed by officers of the Regional Federation of Supreme Secondary Learner Government (RFSSLG).
The workshop's highlight was the innovative "Trashion Show" on its second day. Delegates creatively transformed recycled waste materials brought from their respective schools into stylish garments, showcasing them on a runway. Jagdon noted that such activities were vital for translating awareness into tangible action, offering both entrepreneurial insight and a direct mitigation effort.
From Pledge to Sustained Action in Communities
The summit also provided a platform for inspiring exchanges among young leaders. Guest speaker Frederick Kesner V, a Ten Outstanding Boy Scouts of the Philippines awardee and student leader from Cebu City National Science High School (CCNSHS), described the event as a meaningful confluence of stories and excellence, reinforcing the youth's role as custodians of the past, present, and future.
The final day doubled as Region 7's first celebration of National Students' Day, where delegates participated in a pledge activity. They committed to implementing specific action plans for environmental programs in their home communities. RFSSLG officer and CCNSHS student leader Sophia Advincula stressed the critical need for momentum to continue beyond the three-day workshop. She called for the creation of sustained projects at school and community levels to keep the youth inspired and actively leading the charge for a sustainable future.
