Recognizing the vital role the Cordilleran youth play in peace and development, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police, and the city government of Baguio organized a two-day Pag-Asa Youth Association Camp last Nov. 3 and 4 at Barangay Engineer’s Hill.
With the theme “Peace we live, peace we love, peace we advocate,” the Pag-Asa Youth Association Camp, attended by 55 young people from various barangays, mirrored its goal of enabling the youth to become agents of peace and community development.
Aside from the series of lectures on youth leadership, peace, and development that include effective communication, teamwork and trust building, mental health and stress management, positive lifestyle, socialization, and peace building, they were also given orientation on national security to raise awareness and prevent them from joining the rebel groups and contribute positively in their communities, nurturing them as advocates for peace and development.
During the camp, the city government acknowledged the role and participation of the youths in preserving peace in the city while further guaranteeing its support for them through scholarship grants and projects.
Meanwhile, the participants are thankful for the initiative, saying the activity was an eye-opener to protect them from any deceptions from the rebel groups.
“Let us always be mindful and be careful po para maiwasan po natin na mapasama po tayo sa mga organizations na makakasama po sa atin. Nagkaroon din po kami ng idea about sa mga organizations na puwede naming salihan. Sa mga kabataang tulad ko, always be careful and laging kilalanin or maging aware sa mga taong nakakasalamuha natin,” one participant said.
The AFP, PNP, and the city government continue to collaborate, keeping with their commitment to protecting the youth, while implementing programs that will pave the way for their empowerment to advocate peace and development. – Press release
