The Climate Change Commission (CCC) on Wednesday honored women and youth leaders advancing disaster preparedness and climate action, highlighting the importance of early action and climate-informed planning as El Niño could persist into the first half of 2027.

At the 2026 Philippine Resilience Awards (PRA) at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines in Manila, CCC Vice Chairperson and Executive Director Robert E.A. Borje said climate forecasts must guide government decisions before communities feel the full effects of climate hazards.

“Predictive governance means bringing science, climate information and risk assessments into the decisions we make before impacts are fully felt,” Borje said in his message.

He said the awards should also help champions share lessons, find partners and extend their initiatives to other communities.

Borje noted the importance of recognizing individuals who have found ways to make resilience practical in their communities.

Among the awardees for the PRA 2026 was Quezon City Persons with Disability Affairs Office head Deborah Dacanay, whose project promotes the involvement of persons with disabilities in disaster preparedness.

“Mahalaga na ma-consider ang mga taong may kapansanan o people with disabilities, kasi sa usapin ng disaster walang pinipiling status (It is important to consider people with disabilities, because in matters of disaster, no one is exempt from the impact),” Dacanay said.

She said that QC trains PWDs, like deaf and blind residents in emergency preparedness, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), to help them respond to emergencies.

“Sa QC meron kaming 110,000 persons with disabilities at napakalaking bilang ito, ibat ibang type of disabilities at bawat disability ay may kanya kanyang uniqueness at strength so hindi namin ineequate ang disability sa inability, na wala silang kayang gawin sa lipunan (In QC, we have 110,000 persons with disabilities, and this is a huge number. There are different types of disabilities, and each disability has its own uniqueness and strength, so we do not equate disability with inability, that they cannot do anything in society), so we want to empower them,” she added.

Another awardee, Marife Matic Mustacisa from Samar State University, leads the LETS CARE or Livelihood Empowerment through Sustainable Climate-Resilient Agri-Aqua and Natural Resources Enhancement project, which promotes climate-resilient agriculture, fisheries technologies and community-based climate action.

“Ang resiliency kasi hindi yung response lang na nandiyan na yung disaster (Resiliency is not just the response when the disaster is already there),” Mustacisa said, emphasizing the need to prepare communities for extreme weather before it strikes.

Other awardees include Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development Assistant Secretary Mylene Rivera for the PLANADO or Plan & Do Program; environmental advocate Angelina Galang for Ako ang Bukas; former Rizal governor Rebecca “Nini” Ynares for the YES Program; Naga City planning officer James Nathaniel Refugio for the Bicolano Young Leaders Program; and community advocate Ervie Ann Conte for the Paglajag Program.

Each awardee will receive a cash grant of up to PHP150,000, a medallion and a plaque.

Conceived in 2023, the awards recognize women and youth whose initiatives help communities prepare for climate and disaster risks. (PNA)