DAVAO CITY - The Youth for Peace and Development Movement Philippines (YFPDMP), through the Youth for Peace Eastern Mindanao (YFPEM), has successfully conducted its 4th orientation of the YFPDMP Affiliation System (YAS) and cascading of the Campaign Plan "Pakiglambigit" during the "BUKLURAN: A YFPEM Leaders Forum" on March 29, 2021, at the Bayanihan Center of Camp Panacan, Davao City and via Zoom.
The 1-day forum was initiated by the YFPEM Council in partnership with the Eastern Mindanao Command (EMC) to strengthen the alliance of all Youth for Peace Chapters in Eastern Mindanao, inform the YFP leaders on the new plans and policies of their National Chapter, and gather their issues and concerns.
It was attended both physically and virtually by a total of 154 YFP officers from Regions 10, 11, 12, and 13, covering the YFPEM area.
During the event, Guest Speaker Joy James Saguino, formerly known as "Ka Amihan", talked about the schemes of the New People's Army (NPA) in infiltrating and recruiting the youth.
She encouraged the attendees to be vigilant at all times and to never result in any form of violence.
"Pwedeng-pwedeng masolusyunan ang problema ng lipunan without resulting to violence (The problems of society can be solved even without resulting to violence)," she said.
Saguino also challenged the youth to actively take part in the process of peacemaking and acknowledge the great responsibility they carry in safeguarding peace.
Also, Glynmer Jamito, the YFPEM Organizational Development Committee Chairperson, presented the significant accomplishments and notable practices of the local YFPEM Chapters in 2020 such as outreach programs, donation drives, and Youth Leadership Summits, noting that despite the pandemic, YFP volunteers were able to continue their advocacy for peace and youth empowerment.
He also highlighted the various achievements received by the YFP Chapters during the previous year.
On a related note, YFPDMP President, Alexis Micutuan presented the Affiliation System among the participants, highlighting the need for all Chapters to affiliate with the YFPDMP to patch up all issues in the past that is rooted in disconnection and miscommunication.
"We have look through the issues of the organization which points to one problem, and that is miscommunication," he said while giving assurance that the new system will improve the communication flow of the organization.
During his closing message, the National YFP President encouraged the YFP leaders to continue the advocacy despite the current situation and other circumstances that may affect their drive. He also thanked the Eastern Mindanao Command for helping the YFPEM conduct the forum.
Likewise, the National Campaign Plan for 2021 entitled "Pakiglambigit" was discussed by YFPDMP Peace Communication Chairperson, Bren D. Cabatingan.
He talked about the organization's goals for this year and the target programs, anchored on the 4 Thematic Advocacies, which were recommended by the National Council to be executed by the local Chapters this year.
Meanwhile, BGen Leopoldo Imbang Jr., the Deputy Commander of EMC and Guest of Honor of the forum, lauded the accomplishments of YFPEM and the plans of YFPDMP saying that sustainability is truly important to any organization.
He also commended the YFP National Council for not only thinking of the present situation of the organization but also it's future.
Written by: Bren Cabatingan, Peace Communication Head, YFPDMP and Romeo Torres Jr., Peace Communication Coordinator, YFPM Davao City, YFPEM
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