Aimed at engaging the youth/student sectors and National Government Agencies (NGAs) towards convergence mechanisms, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Regional Office V conducted its very first Regional Convergence on Capacitating Urban Communities for Peace and Development (CUCPD) on December 14, 2021 at Ninong’s Hotel in adherence to existing IATF guidelines.
Centering on the theme, “Young Leaders Advocating for Peace and Development,” the regional convergence was participated in by student leaders and school administrators from schools and universities across Bicol region, namely, University of Sto. Tomas – Legazpi, Bicol University, University of Nueva Caceres, and Camarines Sur Polytechnic Colleges.
Also present were representatives from the Sangguniang Kabataan Provincial Federations of Sorsogon, Albay, and Masbate; National Youth Commission; Team Albay Youth Organization; and Commission on Higher Education.
The first part of the activity, led by LGOO VI Darlyn D. Ayende, DILG RV Regional Focal Person, shed light on the Executive Order No. 70 (EO70) most commonly known as the Whole-of-Nation Approach, and the CUCPD which is among the flagship programs of EO70, particularly its roles and impact on the youth/student and academic sectors. Subsequently, the participants were also briefed on related and significant topics by Resource Persons from the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, Philippine Army, and Philippine National Police.
The convergence was manifested through the Solution-Seeking Session wherein the issues and concerns faced by the youth sector were identified as well as possible solutions, and presented to the NGAs for response and further discussions.
Through the regional convergence, the student/youth sectors were reassured that their voices are heard for future interventions, strengthening their ties with the government sector, which is one of the main goals of the CUCPD program.
