NEWS AND UPDATES

The initiative is spearheaded through the collaboration of the Office of the Presidential Assistant for Northern Luzon (OPANL), Office of Civil Defense (OCD), National Youth Commission (NYC),

Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

The program commenced with the Opening Ceremonies followed by an audio-visual presentation highlighting the milestones of the AGRIDAM program. In her welcome remarks, Presidential Assistant for Northern Luzon ASec. Ana Carmela V. Remigio emphasized the importance of expanding AGRIDAM to the youth sector, building on its success in training 1,800 disaster responders across Northern Luzon.

OCD Administrator Undersecretary Harold N. Cabreros then presented the program overview, underscoring the need to address the shortage of community-based disaster risk reduction trainers through youth engagement.

Messages of support were delivered by NYC Chairperson and CEO Usec. Joseph

Francisco R. Ortega, CHED Chairperson Dr. Shirley C. Agrupis, and TESDA Director General Sec. Jose Francisco B. Benitez represented by Deputy Director General Felizardo R. Colambo, highlighting the institutionalization of AGRIDAM through education and skills development systems.

The program's goal is to turn disaster preparedness into recognized academic and career pathways by giving students access to micro-credentials, ladderized accreditation through CHED, and national certification options through TESDA. The MOA signing formalized the partnership among OCD, NYC, CHED, and TESDA, witnessed by key officials, followed by a ceremonial document exchange and photo documentation.

ASec. Gervy James N. Gumarit of NYC introduced the Guest of Honor, Majority

Floor Leader and Ilocos Norte 1st District Representative Ferdinand Alexander A. Marcos, who underscored the importance of institutionalizing the program to ensure sustainability, stating that embedding such initiatives into government systems allow them to grow, improve, and serve as long-term standards in disaster response.

The ceremony concluded with an official photo opportunity, marking the beginning of the rollout of the AGRIDAM for Youth Project. Starting April 2026, the program will be integrated into Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Councils and youth organizations, empowering young Filipinos to take on active and professional roles in building safer, more resilient communities across the country.

Likewise in attendance were OCD Asec. Rafael Alejandro and OCD Regional Directors Laurence Mina of Region 1, Albert Mogol of CAR, and Leon Rafael of Region 2; CHED Commissioner Dr. Ricmar P. Aquino; ASec Michelle Mae B. Gonzales of NYC; and representatives of youth organizations and partner agencies.