CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA)--Two hundred nine SK officials and Local Youth Development Officers (LYDOs) from Regions 10 and 13 participate in a youth forum and learning exchange activity, hosted by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Northern Mindanao and CARAGA, October 29 via Zoom VTC channeled through Facebook live.
Dubbed as, “SK Standing Strong: Exchange of Adaptation and Coping Mechanisms amid Covid-19 Pandemic,” the activity highlighted and recognized LGU’s efforts on meaningful youth participation in peacebuilding and nation-building.
This became an avenue for the participants to connect with each other and learn from each other's experiences, approaches, and practices, especially on coping and adaptation mechanisms of SKs while delivering their responsibilities at the local level.
The sharers for the activity include Cagayan de Oro City LYDO James Patrick R. Santos, Talisayan, Misamis Oriental SK Federation President North P. Maceda, Gigaquit, Surigao del Norte LYDO Jay L. Pagulong, and Barangay Cahayagan, Carmen, Agusan del Norte SK Chairperson Jaymark A. Malinao.
“Amid this pandemic, we are placing our full trust to the young leaders of Northern Mindanao and CARAGA to continue to strive on being matitino, mahuhusay at maasahan,” said DILG-10 Regional Director Arnel Agabe.
He reminded the participants, being part of the SK, that they must take the challenge of initiating more meaningful activities for the youth.
Further, Regional Director Lilibeth A. Famacion of DILG CARAGA emphasized that the said forum is “an opportunity that encourages youth participation by sharing what they know and what they can do to help resolve or find ways to address the prevailing problems of the country and even in the locality.”
GIZ Mindanao Peace and Development Cluster Coordinator Gunhild Schwitalla-Ruf said, “The local government code clearly marks the empowerment of the LGUs on the ground and with that, it also means that the empowerment of the young leaders is strengthened through the SKs and LYDOs.”
Furthermore, Alexa Danielle Dayanghirang, National Youth Commission (NYC) commissioner representing Mindanao added that the theme of the activity goes very well, noting that the SKs that stand together, stand stronger.
This pilot learning exchange activity is initiated in celebration of the Local Government Code Anniversary Celebration, which is made possible through the partnership with the Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), Officer of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP), and NYC. (DILG-10/PIA-10)
