Youth groups in Lucena City lead climate action, anti-smoking campaign

By Rowena T. Cruz Youth participants collect waste along the Barra shoreline as part of Lucena’s climate action and health advocacy drive. (...

By Rowena T. Cruz

Youth participants collect waste along the Barra shoreline as part of Lucena’s climate action and health advocacy drive. (Lucena City PIO)

LUCENA CITY, Quezon - With young leaders taking the lead in environmental and health advocacy, the Lucena City Youth Development Office (LYDO) and the Sangguniang Kabataan rolled out two campaigns to boost youth participation. Aiming to strengthen youth leadership, the initiative shows how young people drive action on key environmental and health issues.

LYDO and the SK introduced the Kabataang Lucenahin United Synergy for Climate Action (KLUSCA) and the TobaccOff Movement to promote climate awareness and anti-smoking efforts among young Lucenahins. SK officials from Barra, Dalahican, Talao-Talao, and Ransohan, along with barangay leaders, joined the rollout, which included discussions, advocacy sessions, and volunteer work.



In line with the National Day for Youth in Climate Action and Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Week, the rollout underscores Lucena’s commitment to empowering the youth in environmental protection, health promotion, and leadership. It also reflects the city’s effort to strengthen youth engagement in initiatives that address climate and community health concerns.

Climate Action Advocacy activities emphasized the role of youth in developing climate solutions, focusing on waste segregation, coastal resource protection, plastic reduction, and household practices that affect carbon emissions. Youth volunteers also cleaned the Barangay Barra shoreline, removing waste and demonstrating involvement in protecting the marine environment.

LYDO head Rick Anthony Misiera emphasized the important role of young Filipinos in advancing climate solutions, urging communities to support youth-led efforts for a more resilient future. He said youth advocacy drives awareness and prompts more sectors to adopt sustainable practices as young voices champion health and environmental concerns.

Youth leaders capped the activity by signing a memorandum of agreement and a pledge, solidifying their collective efforts to sustain youth involvement in local climate and health programs. The signing marked a collective push to advance health and environmental efforts in Lucena City, including continued education drives, coastal cleanups, and closer coordination with barangay councils.