Ang Pahayagan

ORANI, BATAAN — Young members of the Tubo-tubo Fisherfolks Association recently took part in the “Youth EcoSkills on Digital Literacy and Coastal Conservation” program led by AboitizPower’s GNPower Mariveles Energy Center (GMEC) and GNPower Dinginin (GNPD). Held last May 7 to 8, 2026, the initiative combined coastal conservation training with digital literacy workshops to help equip local youth with practical skills for community leadership and environmental stewardship.

In collaboration with the LGU of Orani and the Provincial Government Environment and Natural Resources Office (PG-ENRO), the event turned the Tubo-tubo Function Hall into a dynamic space for leadership, innovation, and community action.

“We highly value partnerships like this that actively involve our youth in environmental governance,” said Mistylyn Gutierrez, Environmental Management Specialist of PG-ENRO. “Teaching them about mangrove protection and the Fisheries Code, alongside modern digital literacy, ensures that local conservation efforts remain sustainable. Programs like Youth EcoSkills bridge the gap between traditional community knowledge and modern advocacy tools.”

Participants attended sessions on environmental stewardship, including mangrove protection and the Fisheries Code, alongside practical workshops on Microsoft Office, Canva, public speaking, and teambuilding. The training aimed to strengthen both environmental awareness and digital skills, helping participants become more active contributors within their communities.

“For AboitizPower GMEC and GNPD, supporting our host communities goes beyond plant operations. Programs such as Youth EcoSkills reflect our continuing efforts to help create opportunities for local communities while promoting environmental responsibility, “GMEC-GNPD Reputation and Stakeholder Management (RSM) Manager Joseph Paolo Mendoza said.

For many participants, the training became more than a workshop, as it was an opportunity to better understand their role in protecting local ecosystems and serving their community.

“I learned that mangroves don’t just protect our shores; they protect our families’ livelihoods,” said one of the participants, Renmar Guevarra. “The Canva and tech skills are a huge help for school, but the biggest lesson was how unity and communication make us stronger as a team.”

Another participant, Andrea Gavino, emphasized the importance of youth involvement in such programs. “Activities like this show us that we aren’t just the future—we are the present. We have a role to play right now in building safer communities.”

By combining environmental education with digital literacy, the program aims to help empower a new generation of community leaders equipped to support both conservation and local development efforts in Bataan. (PR)

TOP 📸 : Leading the Charge. Youth associate members of the Tubo-tubo Fisherfolks Association (TFA) join AboitizPower’s GMEC and GNPD Environment Program Supervisor Kristian San Diego (second from right) for a group photo during the “Youth EcoSkills” workshop in Orani, Bataan. The two-day program equipped these young leaders with a powerful mix of digital literacy and coastal conservation skills to help them protect their community’s natural resources.