PRESIDENT Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has urged the Department of Education (DepEd) to educate Filipino children about climate change and its adverse effects on the environment and communities.

The call came after several areas in the Philippines, particularly in Central Luzon, experienced severe flooding due to recent monsoon rains.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said Marcos 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.

Castro said Marcos also 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 the President likewise 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 communities can practice are proper waste disposal, environmental cleanup, and keeping waterways free of 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.