CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga- Gov’t agencies, NGOs, and stakeholders have aimed to protect, preserve, and rehabilitate the environment for the next generation of Kapampangan youth.
For the past two decades, the world was hampered by the adverse effects of climate change, rising sea levels, continental forest fires, and extreme weather conditions that brought massive destructions to some parts of the planet.
To address these daunting social problems, various government agencies, both local and national, together with non-government agencies, and partner stakeholders have decided to create a better, cleaner, and sustainable environment for and by the youth through the initiative of Global Linkages for The Filipino Youths Foundation (GLTFYF). Officials and representatives from GLTFYF, Provincial Government of Pampanga, Climate Change Commission, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) 3, Department of Tourism (DOT) 3, Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Pampanga, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Pampanga, and partner stakeholders signed a pledge of commitment to actively support the future activities of the foundation.
The signing of the commitment pledge marked the beginning of a tripartite partnership and convergence of sectors.On Friday, Rubyrose Rustia, President of GLTFYF, said the foundation is seeking to establish a strong partnership with the youth, to serve as front liners of the movement.
“Through the help of the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Federation we can encourage the youth, the active members of the community, to participate in this movement. We chose Pampanga because we want to promote the province as a youth destination, to create best practices here, to address the specific needs of every barangay, and to influence more people in other parts of the nation to join us,“ Rustia said.
According to Rustia, it has been her advocacy to help the youth since 2002.
“Long before, I really had the heart for the youth. I really wanted to help and mentor them. I built this foundation because I felt like I cannot do it alone and I need support to pursue my objective. That’s why I’m very much thankful to all our partner government agencies, NGOs, and stakeholders for supporting us. Today marks the beginning of a significant endeavor for a very timely concern that rests the future of humanity,” she added.
For his part, ex- officio Board Member Mosche Lacson, SK Federation President, on behalf of Pampanga Governor Dennis “Delta” Pineda, pledged the support of the provincial government for the realization of the movement.
“Climate change is structural problem that needs structural solution, in this movement, we need all the help we can get starting from the smallest sangguniang kabataan officials sa barangay to the elected officials in the national government along with the biggest companies. We all need to work hand in hand with this sectors to battle climate change,” Lacson noted.
“On behalf of all Kapampangan SK leaders, I accept to lead the call to battle climate change. We will try to sustain this movement by making it as part of our legislative and executive agendas as SK president.” he furthered.
When asked about his empowering action message to his fellow SK and young leaders in the province, Mosche said “I’d like to call on all Kapampangan youth not only the Sangguniang Kabataan, to educate them with regards climate change. Mundo po natin ito, let’s do our responsibility by doing little things with big impacts.”
The kick-off press conference was preceded by a benefit concert that featured artists like morissette Amon, Lance Busa, Joreen Bautista, 3rd Avenue, Polly Cabrera, Xergio Ramos, and Elle Ocampo .
Proceeds from the said concert will be used to fund GLTFYF’s future projects and programs.
GLTFYF is national non- government organization established in 2002 which seeks to help and address climate change and other environmental problems .