𝐏𝐀𝐍𝐀𝐆𝐓𝐀𝐏𝐎𝐊 𝐔𝐆 𝐏𝐀𝐊𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐈𝐌𝐀𝐌𝐀𝐓 𝐂𝐔𝐌 𝐆𝐀𝐖𝐀𝐃 𝐊𝐀𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐖 2021 𝐈𝐌𝐌𝐎𝐋𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐒 𝐀𝐒 𝐈𝐓 𝐂𝐎𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐄 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐌𝐈𝐒𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐕𝐈𝐒𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐑𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇 𝐏𝐄𝐀𝐂𝐄 𝐀𝐃𝐕𝐎𝐂𝐀𝐂𝐘

Maco, DdO-  Bridging a year of not being able to have a General Assembly, the Youth for Peace Movement Davao de Oro (YFPMDdO) has finally ignited its 6th Panagtapok ug Pakighimamat (PUP) and 7th Gawad Kalinaw on December 29-30, 2021 in Brgy. Mapaang, Maco, Davao de Oro . The success was accumulated as the 11 municipality chapters were present, from the YFPM New Bataan, Compostela, Maragusan, Montevista, Monkayo, Nabunturan, Mawab, Maco, Laak, Mabini, and Pantukan, with of more than 100 youth participants.

The 6th Panagtapok ug Pakighimamat (PUP), an annual general assembly of the YFPMDdO with the theme, "Empowering Youth Resilience in Coherence to the Vision and Mission of Peace Advocacy" sight to present the progress of the accomplishments of each chapter. Concurrently, the efforts were racked up together with the four (4) thematic advocacies, Organizational Development, Community Development, Youth Development, and Peace Communication.

The 11 municipalities arranged their various booths as a fundraising event since the PUP was emblematized as a High School atmosphere event. During the first day, Cpt Roberto Escalona Jr., the S7 of the 1001st Infantry Brigade, welcomed the participants and wanted them to enjoy the whole event as long as they stayed in the Brigade. After the Opening Program, team-building activities won't be absent as they activate the energy and camaraderie of each chapter.

In the initiative of the organization to award the most valuable volunteer, the 6th and 7th Gawad Kalinaw was the highlight of the whole event as it will honor the efforts of the volunteers. Five (5) Dakilang Pinuno (Officer) and Dakilang Kasapi (Member) was able to be awarded KArangalan ng LImang Natatanging Wagi from the batch 2020 and 2021. Honoring five (5) chapters who also strived during 2021 was also awarded as Natatanging Sangay, medals, and certificates sealed their efforts. 

Mr. Alexis Micutuan, represents Gov. Jayvee Tyron Uy as he expressed his gratitude to the Peace Initiative of the Organization saying, “He [Gov. Jayvee Tyron 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.”

Taking turns for the betterment of the organization, the most eagerly anticipated portion of the assembly was the election of new officers. The members of the organization were faced with the challenge of selecting the right person to lead and represent the organization. With the pride and oneness of the volunteers, Mr. Jess Elton Largado was elected as the new President of the YFPMDdO. As he accepts the position, he hoped as he says "Tinabangay lang ta ninyo. Makaya lagi nato ni." this short phrase, emotionally inspired each of the volunteers and they expressed their support as they clapped with joy.

The Panagtapok Ug Pakighimamat cum Gawad Kalinaw 2021 will not be possible without the unwavering support of the Province of Davao de Oro headed by Governor Jayvee Tyron Uy, the 1001st Infantry Brigade and 701st Infantry Brigade Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and the presence and participation of the youth volunteers.

As the event comes to an end, Ms. Bernadette M. Festin, the former President of the YFPMDdO grabbed the chance to thank the volunteers for their efforts and support to the organization. Former Provincial Federation Officers of the YFPMDdO also did their word of thanks to the people behind the success of the organization. With this, the triumph of the organization in the thick of the pandemic was visible as the growth of each chapter was appreciated.

Written by: Ronabelle Festin, Peace Communication Unit Head

Photo by: Jmarc Emanuel DePerio, Rogelio Tigbao Jr., Peace Communication Unit, and Cpl Alvin Veras from 28IB 

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