Tadian, Mountain Province-Youth groups are keeping the spirit of volunteerism alive for the development of their respective communities as they also see it as a way for them to learn, be empowered, and equipped with skills and knowledge that will be useful in their future.

The implementation of the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS) in the municipality of Tadian and other towns of the Mountain Province implementing the program It is not new to the youth members as they attended meetings, consultations, and participated as members of the Pakyaw groups within their communities. Among the youth groups is the Kabataan Kontra Droga at Terorismo (KKDAT) in Tadian.

KKDAT Vice-President Lindsay Taynan Loogan acknowledges that the strength possessed by the youth, play a vital role in the implementation of projects such as KALAHI-CIDSS in their community and helped other sectors such as Persons with Disability, and Elderly.

 “Being a KKDAT member, dakkel nan itulong nan isang ay community. We the youth, main-in-volve kami hinan da ay activities for example nan leadership trainings, hanan da ay information education campaigns, and others. My experience as KKDAT member kung ikokonek natin sa KALAHI-CIDSS nu hinan isang ay community dakami as what Dr. Jose Rizal said na ‘Kabataan ang Pag-asa ng Bayan’, dakami dan asahan di umili ay tumulong. Hinan da ay KALAHI-CIDSS projects ay mai-alali nan isang ay community, for example hinan da ay pathways nan masabsabu need din isang umilin manpower, datayo kuma as youth ammu takun tumulong.”  (Being a KKDAT member, it has helped the community since we, as youth are being involved to the different activities such as leadership trainings, information education campaigns and others. My experience as a KKDAT member if we will connect it to KALAHI-CIDSS, as what Dr. Jose Rizal said that we as youth are the hope of the nation, the community needs our help. For the KALAHI-CIDSS projects implemented in the community for example, the concreting of pathways, they need manpower, they call for the assistance of the youth. And as a youth, we should know how to help the community.), Loogan added.

Police Chief Master Sergeant Sarah-el L. Fermin, Chief Community Affairs Division Tadian Municipal Police Station said with their aim to also organize the youth members of their community, the KKDAT has a great contribution to the implementation of the program.

The engagement of KKDAT members in peacebuilding gave them a wider perspective through arts culture, tourism, and education mobilize the community effectively by bridging them with wider peacebuilding objectives by partnering with PNP Tadian, and other stakeholders, building bridges between divided members of their communities, and ensuring a viable process of reconciliations.

KKDAT members supported and participated in the paid labor on the implementation of the KALAHI-CIDSS sub-projects of their designated barangays. Aside from their involvement in the program, they also helped in the hauling and distribution of DSWD Family Food Packs during disaster relief operations and outreach programs to barangays such as tree planting activities, awareness lecture at different schools and feeding programs with the Philippine National Police and other stakeholders.

They also encouraged the community to be more participative by leading by example, participating on barangay activities, spreading awareness of anti-illegal drugs and anti-terrorism. They joined the activities led by the different agencies and encourage peers, adults, and community members to be actively involved in community activities for the betterment of everybody.

In the same town, another youth group is also keeping the spirit of volunteerism alive for the development of their community.

Youth Mobile Force (YMF) Mountain Province Vice President Client Van East Totanes said with the aim of the KALAHI-CIDSS to improve the lives of the people, the program undauntedly proves to be effective in empowering small communities and their organization.

The YMF served as member of the Pakyaw group and the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council who is the direct committee supervising the implementation of the program in the municipality.

Totanes narrated the youth are the direct beneficiaries of the programs and projects of the government, that is why the youth need to be involved citing that the good about KALAHI-CIDSS that it has inclusivity. “From identifying issues that need to be addressed to planning and implementation, with the young people involved, and that is why we are thankful. With our organization’s vision to helping young individuals to be empowered, we’re working with various stakeholders to be a positive influence and change for the benefit of the community,” he said.

Totanes added “As a member of the youth, we have seen that most decision-making in the community is led and managed by the adults and the youth are being shunned, that is because, most often, we are perceived to be young and we don’t have experiences. With the youth as the direct beneficiaries of the programs and projects of the government; and that is why we have to be involved. We would like to assure you that we will continue to support any programs and project of the KALAHI and the DSWD as a whole. We all strive and make a better path for the community and for the children.”

With the youth involved in decision-making processes and implementations, other stakeholders can grasp their energy and creativity in developing solutions within their respective communities.

The Youth Mobile Force of Mt. Province was awarded Champion for the Youth Category during the 2023 Regional BAYANi Ka! Awards held last 29 August 2023 in Baguio City while the Kabataan Kontra Droga at Terorismo for the Just and Peace Category while the BLGU Ubao was conferred as Finalist for the Just and Peace Category. BAYANi Ka! Awards is the highest recognition given by the DSWD Kapit Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS) to its exemplary communities and partners in implementing and promoting the community-driven development (CDD) approach. # DSWD FIELD OFFICE CAR, KALAHI-CIDSS SOCIAL MARKETING OFFICER LAUREN A. ALIMONDO, AND FINANCIAL ANALYST MELODY M. GALUTAN