IAYSP CAR Region

On June 17-19 2022, a District Youth Leadership Summit was conducted and hosted by Youth for Peace Baguio Chapter, with the theme "Transforming and empowering agents in the fulfillment of their roles as advocates of sustainable peacebuilding and community development." The summit was conducted in Sandiwa Hall, Philippine Military Academy, Fort General Grogorio Del Pilar, Baguio City.

Representatives from IAYSP attended the summit, namely: Miss Erecamie Pataras, Miss Maeralyn Sagun, and Miss Jon Olive Gawec. Different youth leaders and students from different barangays and some, from different provinces were gathered together in the name of peace to learn, be inspired, and to be empowered as we face the reality of society where the youth are to lead and fulfill their roles and responsibilities.

Through the organized activity, the youth were able to make so many precious memories as well as learned various topics through the lectures, as well as listened to the testimonies of cadetes from PMA and the members of the "Hands Off Our Children" organization which is one of the highlights of the activity where they learned the reality of the deceptive recruitement of youths by the CPP-NPA-NDF.

The activity also included a Candle for Peace ceremony as well as a Walk for Peace. The speakers are from the SK Federation, NYC-CAR, PMA, National Commission for Culture and Arts, Mental Health Department, PDEA-CAR, BCPO, CDRRMC, NICA-CAR, Armed Forces of the Philippines, and the Hands Off Our Children movement. At the final day of the summit, Col Christopher C. Sab-it and Hon. Benjamin B. Magalong, City Mayor of Baguio City gave their special messages and closing remarks.

The activity was a success and the participants were able to bond together as they learn together. While understanding the role of the youth is important, it is also important to remember the goal of creating a world of peace where people can live in harmony and serve others for the greater good.

We express our sincerest gratitude to all the organizers, the partners of Youth for Peace Baguio Chapter, the facilitators, and staff for creating such a wonderful activity that brings together youth from different walks of life. We are looking forward to work with you and for more seminars to come. God Bless us all!

Reflection by Miss Sagun Maera during the CAR consultation for the "Formulation of the Natinoal Action Plan on Youth, Peace and Security."

On April 19-21, 2022, we have conducted Regional Youth Assembly organize by the Office of the President. All youth organization are called to present their activities to contribute with the bill and hopefully by the end of the term of the President, it will be signed. They said that one of the marginalized groups in the society are the youth. Peace can be attained through diplomatic acts and through communication. Government official like Hon. Benjamin Magalong gave his insights on the activities that the youth organize he said that we have great ideas that he hopes one of the youths can be a government leader of city of Baguio.

Reflection by Miss Michelle Locloc during the CAR consultation for the "Formulation of the Natinoal Action Plan on Youth, Peace and Security."

It is indeed a privilege to attend seminar-workshops which recognizes the important and positive contribution of youth in effects for the maintenance and promotion of peace and security. The said activity is recognized by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPPAPRU) attended by young leaders coming from different provinces of Cordillera. Participants from their respective organizations were given the chance to showcase their platforms. Provinces of Abra, Kalinga, Benguet, Ifugao, Mt. Province, and Baguio City sent their mart and very talented senior high school SSG Presidents, Student Supreme Council (SSC) members from colleges, and state universities sector, Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) chairman and young professionals.
It was held at Strawberry Farm Hotel and Restaurant in La Trinidad, Benguet conducted via facet to face modality on April 19-21.2022. The coverage of the topics was; Six (6) Point Peace and Development Agenda, National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security, National Action Plan on Parenting and Countering Violence on Extremism (NAP-PCVE), and other government peacebuilding interventions. This also includes the meaningful participation of regional and provincial youth consultation and formulation of the long-term plans in assessing the current challenges faced by this generation.
Since three-days wasn’t enough, we had to maximize out time discussing crucial topics and sharing our insight. There were six or seven topics per session in a day. We seriously discuss from 8:00 am until 8 o’clock in the evening and it was tiring not because we had to sit and listen all day long but for the matter of information overload. These different topics are interesting enough for us to take down notes and make some points to review from it. Below are my highlighted topics from the 2nd day of seminar-workshop:
A. Basic Concepts of Cordillera Autonomy- Enlightenment of IP and non-IP ancestral domain vs. communal property.
B. The six point agenda on peace and development (E.O 158) – prioritize the needs of community
C. Sexual Orientation: SOGIE 101- Radicalization and Violence (Cause and factors of conflict)
D. Culture of Peace- This could be aligned with the universal principle: The 5 Principles of Peace.
E. The Concepts of Gender and Youth- Transition of a child to adult in many aspect.
In my perspective, it came to my senses that the vast growth of social media has affected our younger ones. Most of my fellow participants encountered cyberbullying but still choose to stand still as they took their responsibilities of becoming student leaders and presidents of their organizations. As I am now in my quarter-life, I realized that these young student leaders (in their senior high school and college years) have honored themselves and became resilient towards a better future. The different lectures hared their experiences about communism, fighting against NPA, heritage particularly the CAR as an autonomous region. Women and child rights, and many more that is timely and relevant. It was an eye-opener though few were chosen by God’s grace to attend this amazing seminar.
I therefore conclude that, I was very impressed (though there were lapses on time management) yet worth it to attend. This kid of seminar-workshops also helped us to meet and greet different organizations and to pursue our own goals as Cordilleran for the future. I am happy and looking forward to learn, be educated and actively participate more seminars like this to be able to expand my understanding and be liberated. This, hence, is one advantage of meeting the outside world- the opportunity to welcome new knowledge and escalate oneself.

On April 19-21, 2022, a workshop was conducted to gather youth leaders organized by the Office of the President and recognized by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) which young leaders coming from different provinces of Cordillera were able to attend. They sent an invitation to IAYSP CAR as it is one of the chosen youth organizations to coordinate with NGOs and discuss government peacebuilding interventions as well as share and listen to ideas from other regions and youth leaders. The City Mayor of Baguio, Hon. Benjamin Magalong was also present during the worskshop.

The three-day workshop was held at Strawberry Valley Hotel and Restaurant, La Trinidad, Benguet Province and is also a CAR consultation for the "Formulation of the National Action Plan on Youth, Peace, and Security."

We were able to send 2 representatives of IAYSP from Baguio City to attend who are, Miss Maeralin Rose Sagun and Miss Michelle Locloc. They were able to have the privilege as well as the opportunity to meet other youth leaders and their reflections are most inspiring. (Will be posted separately).

With this, we would like to express our gratitude to the Office of the President, the OPAPRU, the organizers, staff, participants, and especially for the opportunity for us to have our representatives to take part in this wonderful workshop. As a youth who is the hope of the fatherland, it is our responsibility to not only reach out to our fellow youth but also contribute to the advancement of the good of our society, our nation, and also give a positive and significant impact to the rest of the world. It is our hope as youth leaders, that good change will occur for as long as we have responsible, and principle-driven leaders who can not only lead and inspire but also work interdependently with others to make the world a better place. Thank you once again and we are looking forward to working more with our brilliant leaders and have a brighter future. 😊😇

IAYSP CAR Region updated their business hours.

(This post is late but it's better late than never 😅😅)

On March 11-13, 2022. Three representatives from the CAR Region attended the Youth Leader's Assembly 2022 held in Tanay, Rizal. And met co-youth leaders face to face for the first time since the pandemic.

We are grateful to have been the representatives to attend and meet wonderful people and listen to profound lecturers. It has been a privilege to be able to meet our respected leaders as well as our co-youth leaders. The entire assembly was a great learning experience and was also a source of inspiration as we listen to our lecturers and co-youth leaders who shared their thoughts and heartfelt reflections. We are truly grateful to the organizers, staff, the lecturers, and all participants. Thank you everyone for the wonderful learning experience and the moments we shared. Looking forward to meeting again! Mansei! 😊

IAYSP CAR Region updated their website address.

Introducing to you our IAYSP Chapter