SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union (PIA) — The Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) 1’s Youth Summit – Phase 2 in Bauang, La Union, on Oct. 16-18, looks to empower the youth of the Ilocos Region to take a more active role in peace and development efforts, with a focus on conflict resolution and peace-building strategies.
The summit, titled “Elevate, Engage, Empower: Youth Pioneers Shaping Peace and Development,” emphasized the critical role of youth leaders in advancing the government’s peace agenda throughout the region.
Central to the strategy was the importance of understanding local contexts in crafting effective peace-building activities.
The Office of the Presidential Adviser for Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity (OPAPRU) led a session on conflict analysis, equipping participants with the skills needed to identify the root causes of conflicts and develop programs to resolve them.
In a separate workshop, the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Region 1 focused on strengthening participants’ communication skills through social media campaigns.
The session highlighted how digital platforms can amplify peace advocacy efforts, teaching participants to craft advocacy messages that resonate with their communities and foster meaningful change.
Participants also applied their learnings in a hands-on session that guided them through creating a communication campaign plan for peace.
The activity allowed participants to integrate conflict resolution strategies with digital outreach, aiming to enhance social harmony through structured, impactful campaigns.
La Union Governor Raphaelle Veronica Ortega-David, chairperson of the RPOC 1, said that activities designed to build the capacity of the youth to be active members in peace efforts are critical for the continued development of the Ilocos Region.
“As the chairperson of the Regional Peace and Order Council Region 1, I am a firm believer that peace is the pillar of a developed society. But these can only be achieved if we work together,” Ortega-David said.
Meanwhile, PIA Region 1 Director Jennilyne C. Role underscored the value of digital platforms in reaching a broader audience, particularly through the expertise and engagement of the youth.
“The government increasingly relies on digital platforms for its peace-building advocacy, and it’s a perfect fit because the youth are highly adept at using these tools. We can harness their skills to advance our peace and development initiatives further,” Role said.
Jericson Macatiag, 22, a youth participant from Sual, Pangasinan, emphasized the importance of information dissemination in promoting peace and development.
He noted that it is crucial in building trust within communities across the Ilocos Region.
“Leading our fellow youth in peace and development advocacy is a privilege. With the rampant spread of fake news, it is vital to ensure the communication of factual and verified information,” Macatiag said.
This summit marks the second phase of the youth engagement efforts in the Ilocos Region this year, following the first summit held in San Fernando City on March 14-15, 2024.
Phase 2 was made possible through the collaboration of RPOC-1 member agencies and the Provincial Government of La Union. (AMB/CCMT, PIA La Union)
