By Kenneth Marcos 
In many parts of the Philippines, it is the lola who plants rice before dawn, the teenage girl who walks kilometers to school, or the nanay who rebuilds their bahay kubo after every typhoon. This October, the world turns its attention to these quiet but powerful leaders—older persons, girls, and rural women—who are shaping climate solutions in their communities.
This month’s global observances—International Day of Older Persons (October 1), International Day of the Girl Child (October 11), and International Day of Rural Women (October 15)—remind us that the fight for climate resilience and justice must include the voices of those who are often left behind.
Wisdom of the elderly strengthens resilience
Under the 2025 theme “Older Persons Driving Local and Global Action: Our Aspirations, Our Well-Being and Our Rights,” the United Nations recognizes senior citizens not just as vulnerable to climate change, but also as key actors in building more resilient communities.
Older Filipinos often hold decades of knowledge about farming, fishing, and natural resource management—wisdom passed through generations. Their experience during disasters, such as typhoons and droughts, also offers valuable lessons for younger generations.
In many barangays, senior citizens help lead community clean-ups, local disaster risk planning, and health programs, showing that age is not a barrier to action but a source of strength and leadership.
Girls on the frontlines of crisis
The International Day of the Girl Child, themed “The Girl I Am, the Change I Lead,” highlights how girls are no longer just seen as victims in times of crisis—they are becoming advocates, organizers, and innovators in climate action.
From leading school clean-up drives to speaking out on environmental issues, many girls—especially in rural areas—are showing courage and commitment in protecting their communities and futures.
But girls still face challenges like early marriage, lack of access to education, and gender-based violence, especially after disasters. Recognizing and supporting their leadership potential is crucial to creating fairer, more sustainable communities.
Rural women feed the nation and protect the land
On October 15, the International Day of Rural Women focuses on women in agriculture, particularly in provinces where farming and fishing are the main sources of income.
In the Philippines, rural women are at the heart of food production—planting, harvesting, and selling crops, often while caring for children and elderly family members. Yet many of them still lack access to land ownership, financial services, and government support.
Despite these barriers, rural women are often the first to respond during climate disasters and the backbone of community recovery. Indigenous women, in particular, play a vital role in protecting forests, rivers, and biodiversity through traditional practices.
Their deep connection with the land makes them powerful voices in climate adaptation and local planning—but they need to be heard, supported, and included in decision-making processes.
Inclusion must go beyond tokenism
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Philippine Commission on Women both stress the need for genuine inclusion of older persons, women, and girls in climate policy-making.
This means not only consulting them, but also giving them real roles in planning, implementing, and monitoring programs that affect their lives and communities.
For a country like the Philippines—one of the most disaster-prone nations in the world—building resilience is not just about infrastructure, but also about ensuring the most vulnerable have the power to lead.
Let us honor their voices not just this October, but every day—by making space for their wisdom, courage, and leadership in shaping the future of our planet.
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