Manila, April 19 -- The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) underscored the importance of the youth's active participation in attaining the United Nations' (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly disaster risk reduction initiatives.

OCD administrator Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno made this remark in his message during the forum organized by non-government organization Bridging Leaders for Sustainable Development Inc. (BLSD) in Boracay Island, Aklan on April 11 to 14, the OCD said in a news release Friday.

Nepomuceno also expressed support for efforts to empower youth leaders to help them become "more purposeful for the communities and stakeholders that they serve and work with."

During the forum, OCD officers also discussed...