Around 50 children from all over the Philippines gathered to discuss the important role of Filipino youth in mitigating disasters and promoting resilience. UN children’s agency UNICEF and World Vision organized the National Consultation with Children and Youth on Disaster Risk Reduction to gather youth voices for the Asian Ministerial Conference for Disaster Risk Reduction (AMCDRR)’s 8th year to be held in Ulaanbatar, Mongolia.

More than 77,000 families were forced to flee Marawi when a foiled attempt to arrest Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon in his apartment in the country’s lone Islamic city on May 23, 2017, triggered clashes with government forces. One of them is the Samprona family who, after staying in evacuation center in Marawi City for months, was forced to evacuate to Manila only to find out that there is no opportunity for them in the big city.

Baby Rose and Cristine do not mind the danger of crossing this dilapidated suspension bridge just to reach school.

The article by Reynald Ramirez highlights the challenges faced by two young girls, Baby Rose and Cristine, from the B’laan indigenous tribe in South Cotabato, Philippines, as they pursue their education. Despite the perilous journey across a dilapidated bridge and the financial constraints of their families, who are contractual farmers, the girls are determined to continue their schooling. The article also addresses the broader issues of teenage pregnancy and the high number of out-of-school youth in the region. World Vision has been actively involved in providing educational support and raising awareness about sexual health and teenage pregnancy prevention. The organization's efforts, along with government programs, have contributed to a decrease in teenage pregnancy cases in South Cotabato.

Off Limits to the Media

The article discusses the challenges faced by journalists in accessing frontline information during a military operation in the Philippines. Former PTV reporter Jervis Manahan recounts limited meetings with the military, where they were instructed to curb negative information. The military restricted media access to frontline movements, a departure from the usual practice of 'embed' reporting. Journalists, taking cues from international agencies like Al Jazeera, BBC, and Associated Press, drafted their own embedded reporting guidelines and signed waivers absolving the military of responsibility for their safety. Despite these efforts, the military did not respond to their proposals. Reporters like Alindogan and Suson found alternative ways to cover the story, with Alindogan joining the Navy Seals and Suson participating in a controlled military trip, though their access was still heavily restricted.