The Federated Sangguniang Kabataan of Binalonan on August 18 held the Youth Empowerment Seminar 2018 to celebrate International Youth Week (IYW) at The Binalonan Tent Events Center with the theme, “Kabataang Binalonan: Maka-Diyos, Marunong, Malinis.”

The YES (Youth Empowerment Seminar) 2018 aims to inculcate to the participants the importance of the youth in nation building and after the seminar they should know basic leadership and skills management and perform properly their functions in planning, budgeting, and policy-making.

In his welcome remarks, Binalonan Mayor Ramon Guico III emphasized his Anti-Dogyot campaign by limiting the use of plastics in the market and encouraged to utilize alternative packaging materials such as the use of woven baskets, cloth bags, paper bags and other similar materials.

He also urged the motorcycle riders to wear proper gears and follow traffic rules. In addition, Guico encouraged the youth leaders to be the role models and influence others to make changes.

Attended by 180 SK officials and youth leaders from the 24 barangays of Binalonan, the one-day seminar featured lectures on Youth as Change Makers, Youth Participatory Governance, Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Reproductive Health, and Mental Health of the Youth.

Resource speaker Prof. Adonis Elumbre, chairperson, Department of History and Philosophy, University of the Philippines Baguio, told the participants that “governance is a system” and they should take their responsibilities as youth leaders seriously, learn to work with groups, to come up with efficient plans for programs and projects.

Ms. Julie Tuguinay, Guidance and Counseling Services Office of UP Baguio, said that to be a great leader, one should be physically and mentally fit. She shared some tips and exercises to lessen stress.

Councilor Nicholi Jan Louie Sison of Villasis, Pangasinan, gave four reasons of inefficient and ineffective leaders- lack of education, poverty, peer pressure and self-discipline. He challenged the leaders to provide positive outdoor and sports activities.

Teresita Bartolome, municipal population worker of LGU Binalonan, stressed the importance of empowering the youth through reproductive health education, to be open-minded on these issues to prevent themselves from risks and of acquiring sicknesses.

Fifth District Board Member Rosary Gracia Tababa graced the occasion and gave her message.

Richard Mel Caplis, Local Youth Development officer; Norman Ramos, Local Government Operations officer; Donabel Hazel, technical assistant to the Office of the Mayor, and Ronald Biado, Federated Binalonan SK president, composed the Training Management Team.