BALER, Aurora — Young people in Aurora were encouraged to use their knowledge, creativity and skills in promoting disaster preparedness and building more resilient communities during the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) contests held here Wednesday.

The provincial-level Poster/Seal Making, Essay Writing and Quiz Bee competitions, covering elementary, junior high school, senior high school and tertiary categories, were held on Sept. 2, 2026 at the Senator Edgardo J. Angara Convention Center in Barangay Reserva.

Provincial DRRM Officer Engr. Amado Elson A. Egargue, in his welcome message, congratulated the participants who advanced to the provincial level and reminded them that the event was not only about winning but also an opportunity to showcase their talent, knowledge, creativity and concern for their communities.

He said the contestants’ posters, seals, essays and performances in the Quiz Bee demonstrate that the youth can play an active role in advancing disaster preparedness, safety and resilience in schools, families and communities.

Egargue urged the participants to do their best and enjoy the competition, stressing that success should not be measured solely by medals, trophies or certificates but also by the knowledge they gain and bring back to their communities.

He also thanked Gov. Isidro P. Galban and Schools Division Superintendent Dante G. Parungao for their support for programs aimed at strengthening disaster preparedness and resilience among young people and communities in the province.

Galban, in his message, highlighted Aurora’s location along the Pacific coast, noting that the province is among the first areas to face strong winds, rains and waves generated by weather disturbances from the Pacific Ocean.

Despite these challenges, he said Aurora has consistently demonstrated resilience, citing the centuries-old Millennium Tree in Maria Aurora and the surfers of Baler as symbols of strength and preparedness.

“Hindi natin mapipigilan ang bawat bagyo. Hindi natin mapipigilan ang bawat lindol, baha o unos,” Galban said. “Ngunit kaya nating maghanda. Kaya nating magtulungan. At kaya nating bumangon ng mas matatag sa bawat pagsubok.”

The governor said the provincial government is strengthening partnerships with the national government and various agencies, including the Department of Education, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Office of Civil Defense and other national DRRM institutions.

He emphasized, however, that resilience should not rest solely on government officials and disaster responders but must also begin with the youth.

Galban cited Education Secretary Sonny Angara and DepEd Assistant Secretary Dexter Galban as advocates of empowering young Filipinos to communicate, lead and provide hope during difficult times.

He said the participants’ work in the contests could have a broader impact beyond the competition.

“A poster that you draw may become a message that saves a life,” Galban said, adding that an essay could influence how a community views disaster preparedness, while knowledge gained from the competition could guide others when disasters strike.

He urged the young participants to become guardians of their communities by standing firm, understanding risks and preparing together.

Galban said the strength of Aurora should not be measured by the storms that hit the province but by the people who remain standing after they pass.

The activity was conducted by the Aurora Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council under the theme, “Naghahanda at Kumikilos Tungo sa Panatag na Bagong Pilipinas.” (Story and photos by Jason de Asis)