The Oscar M. Lopez (OML) Center and Save the Children Philippines (SCP) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), formalizing their shared commitment to address the intersection of climate change and child rights. OML Center Executive Director Dr. Rodel D. Lasco and SCP Chief Executive Officer Atty. Alberto Jesus T. Muyot led the ceremonial signing on Monday, May 5, at the Rockwell Business Center Tower 3, in Pasig City.

“The OML Center’s strength is in climate research—understanding the science behind the changes we see in our environment. But science only becomes powerful when it reaches those who need it most. Through our partnership with Save the Children Philippines, we hope to make climate science more meaningful and relatable to Filipino children. We aim to help them better understand the world around them, protect themselves from climate risks, and take part in building safer, more resilient communities,” said Dr. Lasco.

According to SCP, over 26 million enrolled students in 2024 alone are already affected by climate change, ranging from extreme heat to stronger typhoons. These conditions have significantly disrupted the students’ learning, with at least 53 out of 180 school days lost due to weather-related class suspensions.

But the crisis goes beyond education. Health problems associated with climate change are also growing in the Philippines. In terms of mental health, a global survey revealed that Filipino children and adolescents are experiencing extreme climate anxiety and eco-grief. Food security is also at risk because of drought, which poses consequences on the country’s already alarming rate of stunting, underweight, and wasting among children under five years old. There is also an increased vulnerability to vector-borne and waterborne diseases among children.

“Children are the least responsible for the climate crisis, but they face its most serious impacts. Working with the Oscar M. Lopez Center allows us to reach more children with programs that protect them and help them understand the risks, adapt to the changes, and build resilience in their communities,” said Atty. Muyot.

Through the MoU, both the OML Center and SCP will collaborate on various initiatives focusing on general areas of climate change, climate change adaptation, community engagement, environment and climate education, and child rights governance.

Key areas of collaboration include technical research focusing on community resilience and climate science, development of various information and education campaigns, translation of research findings into comprehensible materials, and capacity-building and outreach programs.

Both institutions are also committed to promoting, developing, and building networks to strengthen other key stakeholders’ engagement in amplifying climate action and advocacies centered on children’s rights in the Philippines.

Also present during the MoU signing were representatives from both organizations. From Save the Children Philippines: Ms. Rowena Cordero (Chief of Programs), Mr. Edwin Horca (Director for Program Planning and Technical Design), Ms. Natalia Tabal (Director of Awards Management), Ms. Emma Salmani (Advocacy Manager), and Mr. Rexel Abrigo (Climate and Environmental Health Advisor). 

Representing the OML Center were Ms. Marianna Vargas-Morada (Programs Director), Ms. Regine Joy Evangelista-Javier (Knowledge Resources Manager), Ms. Mae Anne D. Mangubos (Communication Specialist), Ms. Jean Mariel Ranises (Grants Officer), and Ms. Katherine Mae Sarmiento (Partnerships Manager).

Following the signing ceremony, an ideation session was held to outline initial collaborative initiatives for 2025. 

To get more information and updates on the initiatives of OML Center and Save the Children Philippines, visit our websites at https://www.omlopezcenter.org/ and https://www.savethechildren.org.ph/.