Quezon City: The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has called on Filipino youth to actively take part in climate action through ocean-based solutions. In his message at the culminating event of the Month of the Ocean 2025: Ocean and Climate Forum on Friday, DENR Undersecretary for Legal and Administration Ernesto Adobo Jr. emphasized the Philippines' vulnerability as an archipelagic nation and highlighted the vital role of young people in developing and advocating transformative climate responses.
According to Philippines News Agency, Adobo pointed out that the Philippines, with its more than 7,600 islands, is already on the frontlines of climate change, experiencing rising sea levels and increasingly violent typhoons. He noted that the country faces around 20 tropical cyclones each year, exacerbating the effects of climate change. However, Adobo stressed that the country has a key resource in its oceans, which are natural carbon sinks. By protecting and restoring coral reefs, mangroves, and seagrasses, these ecosystems can help mitigate the crisis. Nevertheless, he warned that the country's marine biodiversity is under threat and stressed the need for actions to safeguard it.
The forum brought together stakeholders from government, academe, civil society, and youth organizations to discuss the urgent need to protect marine ecosystems and enhance coastal resilience amid worsening climate impacts, while also highlighting the importance of partnerships. Adobo acknowledged the ongoing collaboration between the DENR and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), noting joint efforts under the BMB (Biodiversity Management Bureau)-BFAR Convergence Initiative to promote marine biodiversity conservation and sustainable fisheries.
In a keynote message delivered by Director Anna Cristina Villonco, DENR Chief of Staff and Supervising Undersecretary for Strategic Communications Marilou Erni introduced Project TRANSFORM as a game-changer for environmental governance and climate adaptation. She described Project TRANSFORM, or the Transdisciplinary Approach for Resilience and Environmental Sustainability through Multistakeholder Engagement, as a whole-of-society effort that bridges national strategies with local action, fostering inclusive decision-making while supporting young leaders as co-architects of sustainable communities.
Erni stated that Project TRANSFORM represents a shift from reaction to resilience and from siloed work to synergy. The initiative is committed to creating meaningful spaces for the youth, encouraging their roles as citizen scientists, community organizers, policy influencers, digital communicators, and emerging leaders. She added that the initiative promotes the integration of science, technology, and indigenous knowledge in building resilience, already being implemented in pilot areas where youth are engaged in climate action planning and ecosystem monitoring.
The DENR highlighted that the forum aligns with the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030) and directly supports Ocean Decade Challenge 5: Unlock ocean-based solutions to climate change. The agency cited recent national surveys that indicate a gap in climate and ocean literacy among Filipinos, with 2022 data showing only 22 percent satisfaction with government climate efforts. A 2019 knowledge-attitude-practices (KAP) survey also revealed low recognition of ocean-related climate issues in coastal communities.
These findings underscore a critical gap in public awareness and the necessity of a targeted approach to engage key sectors, particularly the youth. The DENR vowed to continue working with youth councils to strengthen grassroots awareness and participation. Adobo emphasized that the Month of the Ocean is not only a celebration but also a reminder of shared responsibility across various sectors, including the youth.
