WHEREAS, Section 13, Article II of the 1987 Constitution declares that the State recognizes the vital role of the youth in nation-building and shall promote and protect their physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual, and social well-being, and shall inculcate in the youth, patriotism and nationalism and encourage their involvement in public and civic affairs;

WHEREAS, Section 16, Article II of the 1987 Constitution provides that the State shall protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature;

WHEREAS, pursuant to Republic Act (RA) No. 8044 or the œYouth in Nation- Building Act of 1995,  the National Youth Commission (NYC) was created to provide leadership in the formulation of policies and in setting the direction of all youth promotion and development programs and activities, to encourage wide and active participation of the youth in all governmental and non-governmental projects and activities affecting them, and to harness and develop the full potential of the youth as partners in nation-building;

WHEREAS, RA 9729 or the œClimate Change Act of 2009,  mainstreamed climate risk reduction into government policy formulations, established the framework strategy and program to manage climate change, and created the Climate Change Commission (CCC) to serve as the sole policy-making body that shall coordinate, monitor and evaluate the programs and action plans of the government relating to climate change;

WHEREAS, according to the 2014 World Risk Report published by the United Nations University Institute of Environment and Human Security, the Philippines ranked second (2nd) among countries in the world with the highest degree of risk and vulnerability in times of natural disasters;

WHEREAS, in consultation with various international organizations dedicated to climate change management, the CCC formulated the National Climate Change Action Plan, which outlines the country ™s climate change adaptation and mitigation agenda for the years 2011 to 2028;

WHEREAS, the NYC formulated the Philippine Youth Development Plan 2012- 2016, which seeks to strengthen disaster risk reduction and management and climate change initiative especially in the area of humanitarian response for the youth in times of calamities; and

WHEREAS, the NYC and the CCC, in cooperation with other government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and international partners, have launched the #NowPH (Not on our Watch) campaign, a comprehensive advocacy on climate action, which aims to empower the youth in raising public consciousness on the science of climate change and on ways to lead a climate-resilient and climate-smart lifestyle.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BENIGNO S. AQUINO III, President of the Republic of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby declare November 25 of every year as the œNational Day for Youth in Climate Action. 

The NYC, in coordination with the CCC and other concerned agencies, shall determine the theme and identify the programs, projects, and activities for the yearly observance and celebration of the National Day for Youth in Climate Action.

All other agencies and instrumentalities of the National Government, including government-owned or -controlled corporations, are hereby directed and all local government units, as well as the private sector, are hereby encouraged to collaborate and cooperate with the NYC in advocating and implementing programs and activities pursuant to this Proclamation.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the Republic of the Philippines to be affixed.

DONE, in the City of Manila, this 12th day of November, in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Fifteen.

(SGD.) BENIGNO S. AQUINO III

By authority of the President:

(SGD.) PAQUITO N. OCHOA, JR.
Executive Secretary