Beyond the boundaries of basketball and volleyball courts, the Youth Empowerment through Sports (YES) of the Sangguniang Kabataan of Lugait has become a symbol of hope and transformation.
This initiative, in sync with the Department of the Interior and Local Government's (DILG) Buha’y Ingatan Droga’y Ayawan (BIDA) initiative, takes a comprehensive approach to instilling leadership skills in the youth.
The program was inaugurated with simultaneous basketball and volleyball leagues strategically designed to attract participants. However, engagement in the league came with prerequisites, including completing a two-month basketball and volleyball clinic, participating in coastal clean-up and tree-growing activities, and attending a 5-in-1 seminar covering Moral Recovery, Kabataan Kontra Droga at Terorismo (KKDAT), Mental Health and Teenage Pregnancy, Cyberbullying, and Basic Life Saving.
The results of the YES Program extend beyond local boundaries to provide opportunities for youth to participate in external competitions. Former SK Lugait President Gerlyn Velarde encouraged the youth, saying, "Your potential is boundless, your dreams are worth chasing, and your future is waiting to be shaped by your choices."
Leveraging the power of sports, YES addresses immediate concerns while laying the groundwork for a more empowered and resilient community.
Expanding the call for youth-centric progress
Looking ahead, SK Lugait officials plan to expand their impact beyond sports. Future initiatives include extending support for the BIDA program by offering livelihood skills training in Electrical Installation and Maintenance NCII, scaffolding, housekeeping, and financial literacy. These skills aim not only to enhance youth employability but also contribute to their overall personal and professional development.
Acknowledging their efforts, DILG Regional Director Wilhelm M. Suyko expressed strong support and commitment, saying, "Your initiative exemplifies the kind of community-driven approach that calls us to strengthen our collective stand against illegal drugs. Your dedication to empowering the youth aligns perfectly with our mission under the DILG’s BIDA program, and we stand ready to support and amplify your efforts."
As 2024 starts, the DILG's BIDA program gains momentum, intensifying efforts to reduce drug demand by empowering youth communities, raising public awareness, and shaping a future that transcends boundaries and exceeds expectations. The SK Lugait YES Program stands as a testament to the power of community-driven initiatives in creating positive change. (RTP, edited by RLRB/PIA-10)
