MACO, Davao de Oro - Bridging a year of not being able to have a General Assembly due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the volunteers of Youth for Peace Movement Davao de Oro (YFPMDdO) were finally reassembled as the 6th Panagtapok ug Pakighimamat (PUP) returned on December 29-30, 2021 at Brgy. Mapaang here.
The gathering was participated in full by the 11 municipal chapters of YFPMDdO namely the YFPM New Bataan, Compostela, Maragusan, Montevista, Monkayo, Nabunturan, Mawab, Maco, Laak, Mabini, and Pantukan, with 100 youth volunteers in attendance.
The PUP, an annual General Assembly of YFPMDdO with this year's theme "Empowering Youth Resilience in Coherence to the Vision and Mission of Peace Advocacy," aimed to highlight the progress of its Municipal Chapters as they ride the year with resilience to accomplish the aspirations of YFPM, despite the challenges brought about by the current health crisis.
The 2-day program was filled with various activities under its "High School Feels" motif to reminisce the memories of High School festivities especially during the pre-pandemic time and ignite the camaraderie of all volunteers whichever chapter they belong to.
This was portrayed by the participating chapters through setting up fundraising booths, joining in quiz bowls, and competing in other team-building and social activities with the assurance of observing minimum health protocols.
The Opening Ceremony was also graced by the Civil-Military Operations (CMO) Officer of 1001st Infantry Brigade, Cpt. Roberto Escalona Jr., who welcomed the participants in their camp and encouraged them to enjoy the whole event.
Recognizing Efforts
As part of the longtime tradition of the YFPMDdO to recognize and honor its volunteers who significantly contributed to the organization and made an impact on their fellow youth, the 6th and 7th Gawad KArangalan ng LImang Natatanging Wagi (KALINAW) also returned during the 6th PUP.
Out of all nominees for 2020 and 2021 only five each year received their medals as they were hailed as Dakilang Pinuno (Officer) and Dakilang Kasapi (Member) after a thorough selection process.
For Dakilang Kasapi of 2020, Mel Rose Sabas of Monkayo, Rogelio Tigbao, Jr. of New Bataan, Ralph Ryan Go of Mabini, Ryan Jun Sequina of Mawab, and Hannah May Sanchez of Maco were awarded.
For Dakilang Pinuno of the same year, Christopher Basan of Monkayo, Jerome Vismanos of Laak, Ronald Dohinog and Kenneth Charles Tumale of Mabini, and Rochelle Pernites of Mawab received the said recognition.
For 2021, Mae Atendido of Maco, Sheila Mae Cabrera of Pantukan, Ruchel Jane Magallanes of Monkayo, Jucol Villones Dela Peña and Gary Remoto Acosta of Mawab were hailed as Dakilang Kasapi.
Finally, Lorie Jean A. Hiyas of Montevista, Jamila Shema May Masiglat of New Bataan, Cristian Anjelo Nacua of Maco, Ardie Louise Villapaz and Roldan B. Sequina of Mawab were awarded as Dakilang Pinuno for 2021.
Meanwhile, efforts of YFPMDdO Chapters this year were also recognized as their accomplishments under the Organizational Development, Community Development, Youth Development, and Peace Communication racked up despite implementing activities with an ongoing pandemic.
Out of the 11 Municipal Chapters, YFPM Montevista, Mawab, Maco, New Bataan, and Nabunturan made it to the top five Natatanging Sangay for 2021. The said Chapters were also hailed as "Credible," the first stage under YFPMDdO's Innovation Trail Map, after garnering an average rate of more than 50% in the 2021 Dashboard.
Shift of Leadership
Taking shifts of leadership as a practice to refresh and improve the organization as well as provide opportunities for empowered YFPMDdO leaders to apply their leadership skills and knowledge, the Election of New Officers, which is the most anticipated portion of the PUP was also conducted to elect the members of the organization's 4th Provincial Council.
Despite the challenges of selecting the right person to lead and represent the organization, the members came together to elect Jess Elton Largado, former Vice President YFPMDdO as the new President.
In his acceptance speech, Largado encouraged all volunteers to work together as the Provincial officers cannot attain their goal without the support of the members.
"Tinabangay lang ta ninyo. Makaya lagi nato ni," he briefly expressed.
As the event came to end, Bernadette M. Festin, the former President of the YFPMDdO grabbed the chance to thank the volunteers for their efforts and support to the organization.
Other former Provincial Council Officers also gave their word of thanks to the people behind the triumph of the organization and the growth of each Municipal Chapter in the thick of the pandemic.
Meanwhile, Alexis Micutuan, the Youth for Peace and Development Movement Philippines (YFPDMP) President, who also represented Gov. Jayvee Tyron Uy expressed his gratitude to the organization's peace initiatives for the year which contributed to the overall intent of the Provincial Government for peace and development.
“He [Gov. Uy] is very much happy, because the Youth for Peace Movement is part of the success of the peace and development activities of the Province of Davao de Oro,” he said.
As National YFPDMP President, he also encouraged the volunteers to continually empower the youth and improve the organization as it serves as an inspiration and standards of other YFP Chapters in their peace and development initiatives.
The Panagtapok ug Pakighimamat cum Gawad Kalinaw 2021 was made possible through the unwavering support of the Provincial Government of Davao de Oro headed by Governor Jayvee Tyron Uy, the 1001st Infantry Brigade and 701st Infantry Brigade, and the presence and participation of the youth volunteers.
Written by: Ronabelle Festin, Peace Communication Unit Head, YFPM Davao de Oro, YFPEM
Photo by: YFPM Mawab Peace Communication Unit
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