In a significant move to bolster disaster preparedness, the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) kicked off the first Mindanao Youth Convergence (MYC) in Davao City. The event, held on December 18, 2024, drew around 200 young leaders from across the region, aiming to enhance their capabilities in disaster resilience and contribute to the development of the Mindanao Disaster Resiliency Resource Center (MDRRC).
MinDA Secretary Leo Tereso Magno emphasized the pivotal role of the youth in shaping the future of Mindanao, particularly in disaster management and sustainable development. He stressed the importance of integrating youth into national policies like the Mindanao Agenda and the Philippine Youth Development Plan 2023-2028, as well as aligning with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s vision for a new Philippines.
The convergence also marked the signing of a memorandum of cooperation between the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) and the Boy Scouts of the Philippines (BSP), aimed at solidifying the MYC as a platform for youth engagement and decision-making in disaster preparedness.
Assistant Secretary Hernando Caraig Jr. of the OCD committed to regional training programs to build youth capacity, while BSP Secretary-General Kim Robert de Leon promised to enhance training modules through local councils and in collaboration with the OCD. Both leaders expressed their support for MinDA’s initiatives, highlighting the potential for a widespread impact across Mindanao through these collaborative efforts.