Village Connect
Climate leadership in the Philippines is no longer defined by formal positions or high offices. Increasingly, it is shaped by ordinary citizens—women, youth, educators, and local leaders—who respond to urgent needs within their own communities. This spirit was once again recognized through the Philippine Resilience Awards (PRA), now in its second year, which honors grassroots champions redefining what resilience and climate action look like on the ground.
For Edren Llanillo of Bugallon, Pangasinan, leadership was born from personal loss. Years ago, medical emergencies in his town often turned tragic due to the lack of immediate response. Determined to prevent other families from experiencing the same pain, Edren founded the Go Bike Project—a youth-powered mobile emergency response initiative.
Known as Go Bikers, volunteers are trained in disaster preparedness, basic healthcare, risk communication, and public education, allowing help to reach communities faster, especially during emergencies. His advocacy earned national recognition at the 2024 PRA and inspired many to lead without waiting for formal authority.
The 2025 PRA awardees continue this legacy of community-driven action. In Valenzuela City, Renebelita Fuentebella, co-founder of Damit Dignidad Pilipinas (DDP), addressed a dignity gap in disaster response. After witnessing unsorted and unusable clothing donations in evacuation centers, she helped build a system that delivers clean, organized, and appropriate clothing—restoring a sense of normalcy, especially for women and youth affected by disasters.
Education also emerged as a powerful tool for resilience. Jenelyn J. Salimbagat, Director at National University of Manila, expanded the university’s National Service Training Program through the Family Emergency and Disaster Preparedness Plan (FEDPP). By mobilizing students to work directly with vulnerable families, the initiative teaches evacuation planning, go-bag preparation, and emergency readiness—reaching communities across Metro Manila and Bulacan.
At the national level, Dr. Diana Rose Cajipe of the Department of Social Welfare and Development was recognized for the Buong Bansa Handa Program, a public-private supply chain system that ensures faster, more efficient delivery of relief goods nationwide.
Youth leaders also stood out among this year’s honorees. From food rescue programs in Quezon City to environmental restoration in Mindanao, storytelling for climate awareness, land and coastal rehabilitation in Cebu, and early-warning systems in Mindoro, these young advocates demonstrate that age is no barrier to impact.
What unites all PRA awardees is strong community connection. Studies show that communities with deep social ties respond better to disasters—a truth reflected in each initiative. As Edren Llanillo shared, climate action is not a competition but a shared mission.
Guided by the theme “Kababaihan at Kabataan: Katuwang sa Paghahabi ng Isang Matatag na Bayan,” the Philippine Resilience Awards continue to spotlight women and youth who are quietly, persistently building a more resilient Philippines—one community at a time.
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