La Union orgs, student leaders join forum for youth empowerment

September 3, 2017 Community Billboard

SAN FERNANDO CITY, LA UNION – More than a hundred student leaders from youth organizations and senior high schools in La Union recently participated in a forum for youth empowerment at the People’s Hall, City Hall, here.
The forum dubbed as “Ten Accomplished Youth Organization (TAYO) Talks 2017” with the theme: Building Communities through Collaboration and Bayanihan aims to advocate the role of the youth in nation-building as well as their importance as movers and dreamers in the society.
“We are blessed to be part of any association or any community, but more than coming together, it is what we do with what we have that truly defines our respective organizations,” said City Vice-Mayor and Lupon ng mga Nangangalaga sa Kalikasan (LINK) founder Alfredo Pablo R. Ortega in his message.
“It is not just the name, but it is doing something together meaningful, that’s what we want to accomplish here with your support in order to advance our programs and projects for the youth, not only here in the city but in the whole province of La Union,” Ortega added.
During the program, Marielou Chua from the National Youth Commission (NYC) presented the current issues on teenage pregnancy, HIV/ AIDS, bullying, LGBT gender equity, poverty, unemployment, mental health and dangerous drugs.
Meanwhile, James de Vera and Patricia Mabute discussed the role of the youth in the society and some of the innovations and possible inspirations which can help and support both organizations and the government in implementing its programs and projects.
Angelica Rose Go, a student of Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University-South La Union Campus (DMMMSU-SLUC) in Agoo and treasurer of their campus body organization said, “My joining in this forum helped me create ideas for which I can apply in our organization.”
She added, “Now, I can bravely suggest potential programs and projects that can greatly contribute to the interests and aspirations of our members, moreover, to our community.”
Also part of the forum are team building sessions and workshops conducted by facilitators from TAYO.
The activity was spearheaded by the city government of San Fernando in partnership with NYC, and TAYO Foundation Inc. Anne Hazel Fajardo-Flores, PIA1 / ABN