Now in its third year, the DRRM Debate Competition, organized by the Environment, Disaster Management, and Emergency Response Office (EDMERO) of the Provincial Government of Camarines Sur, brought together student debaters from across the province for a competitive two-day event held from July 28 to 29, 2025, at the Digital Transformation Center, Capitol Complex, Cadlan, Pili, Camarines Sur.

Pio Esparagoza, a Grade 9 student of Universidad de Sta. Isabel de Naga and member of the high school winning team, perfectly grasped the aim of the debate competition in enhancing students’ communication and public speaking skills while deepening their understanding of disaster risk reduction and management. He remarked, “Para sakuya naging sarong paagi po ini para maging tultol po ang sakong skills sa pag-debate. Nakanuod man po ako kang mga topics manunungod po sa DRRM asin naaraman ko po kun ano talaga an kahalagahan kan DRRM lalo na po digdi sa probinsya ta.”

Held as part of the month-long celebration of National Disaster Resilience Month, the motions presented covered pressing topics such as disaster preparedness and mitigation, environmental preservation, rapid climate change, community resilience, carbon taxing, and the youth’s participation and role in DRRM, among others.

“Igwa po baga kitang sinasabi na ‘Ang Kabataan ang Pag-asa ng Bayan.’ Nangangaipuhan po talaga na kitang mga kaakian dapat aram ta na ang nangyayaring kalamidad sa satuyang probinsya [asin] an sitwasyon na naeeksperiencia kan satong mga kahimanwa para sa sunod na henerasyon kita naman an malingkod sa satong probinsya, kita man an maayos kan problema,” Esparagoza eloquently concluded when asked about the importance of involving their generation in DRRM discussions.

After the intense battle of wits, Ateneo de Naga University emerged as the champion in the college division after standing as the government in the motion, “This House believes that youth volunteers under 18 years old should be allowed to participate in disaster response operations under regulated and safe conditions.” Standing as the opposition, the Local Government Unit of Ocampo did not easily back down and bagged the 1st runner-up, followed by Baao Community College in the 2nd runner-up position.

In a heated exchange on the motion, “This House believes that the Philippines should implement a carbon tax system to hold polluters accountable and reduce national emissions,” Universidad de Sta. Isabel de Naga, standing as the opposition, emerged as the champion in the high school division. The competition was still tight, with St. Joseph School placing 1st runner-up, while the University of Saint Anthony took the 2nd runner-up spot.

The DRRM Debate Competition not only showcased the intellectual prowess of CamSur youth but also underscored the vital role of education in building a resilient community. By engaging the youth in disaster risk reduction and management discussion, the Provincial Government of Camarines Sur, under Governor Lray Villafuerte, is helping to shape a generation of leaders who will play a key role in the province’s future disaster preparedness and response.