NDKC CES INITIATES KaRoN Youth in Action 2026

The Notre Dame of Kidapawan College Community Extension Services (NDKC CES) successfully initiated KaRoN Youth in Action on January 24, 2026, at the NDKC Student Center, with the theme “RoN Now: Realizing Our Duty to Uphold the Rights of Nature.” The activity brought together youth leaders from various sectors, including SK, parish, IP, purok, and student organizations, to strengthen ecological awareness and promote youth-led environmental action.

The program opened with a welcome address by Ms. Ronabel T. Tan, followed by the presentation of the event’s rationale, emphasizing the recognition of nature as a living system with inherent rights that must be protected.

The first session, “KaRoN, Kamusta Ka?” facilitated by Dr. Ivy B. Yecyec, CES Director, introduced the concept of the Rights of Nature and highlighted existing environmental initiatives of participating youth organizations. This was followed by “Ground Zero: Understanding Our Local Environmental Urgency,” led by Ann D. Dulay, Head of the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO), who discussed local ecological challenges and the need for collective action.

In the afternoon, participants engaged in group activities that culminated in the presentation of organizational goals and proposed Environmental Action Plans. The youth groups also agreed to collaborate under KaRoN KidCot, leading to the presentation and approval of its proposed Constitution and By-Laws. The election of the pioneering KaRoN Youth officers marked a significant step toward sustained youth engagement in environmental advocacy.

The whole-day activity concluded with a message of gratitude from Dr. Klemm Ryan Z. Bernabe, Vice President for Administration (VPA), acknowledging the active participation and commitment of the youth leaders.