PBBM TO DEPED: TEACH CLIMATE CHANGE AMONG SCHOOL CHILDREN

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has called on the Department of Education (DepEd) to further educate Filipino children about climate change and its adverse effects on the environment and communities, following the severe flooding caused by recent monsoon rains, particularly in Central Luzon.

In a Palace press briefing on Tuesday, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said that the President emphasized the importance of instilling climate-change awareness among students at an early age.

“Sa DepEd, ituro sa mga bata, kahit sa murang edad ay makatulong na sila,” Castro said, echoing the message of the President following an emergency cabinet meeting the chief executive called on Monday at Malacañang.

Castro said President Marcos pointed out that students have an important role in preparing for the increasingly serious effects of climate change, which are expected to intensify in the coming years.

“Sa mga estudyante, ang role ng bawat isa ay maging handa sa epekto ng climate change, mas maging malala ang epekto nito sa mga susunod pang taon, huwag nating paabutin sa ganoong kondisyon,” Castro said.

She said that the President also underscored the need to strengthen climate awareness at the community level, noting that every resident can contribute to efforts to mitigate the effects of climate change.

“Sa bawat barangay , ipaabot natin na ang bawat residente ay may ambag para mabawasan ang malaking epekto ng climate change,” Castro said.

Among the measures mentioned that can be practiced by communities are proper waste disposal, environmental cleanup, and keeping waterways free from obstructions—simple actions that can help reduce flooding and other climate-related risks.

“Mula sa maayos na pagtatapon ng basura, paglilinis ng kapaligiran, pagtatanggal ng bara sa daluyan ng tubig, hindi ito maliit na bagay,” she said.

The President’s call comes as several areas in Luzon, particularly Central Luzon, continue to experience the impacts of heavy monsoon rains, highlighting the need for both government intervention and greater public preparedness in dealing with climate-related disasters.

The administration has repeatedly emphasized the importance of climate resilience, disaster preparedness and environmental protection as the country faces increasingly unpredictable weather patterns and extreme weather events.

Through climate education, President Marcos said young Filipinos can be equipped with a better understanding of the environmental challenges facing their communities and encouraged to take part in practical measures that can help protect lives, property and the environment.