The Ideas Positive Youth Forum on Public Health, the largest gathering of the youth in the Philippines and from the Southeast Asian region, set in Iloilo City on August 12-13, 2018 has earned a needed boost through an endorsement from the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), the National Youth Commission (NYC), and the Iloilo City Government through the Local Youth Development Office (LYDO).
Agency endorsed youth forum
The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) has issued a Memorandum addressed to all Directors of CHED Central and Regional Offices and also to all Presidents and Heads of Public and Private Higher Education Institutions for support and participation to the youth forum of all concerned under CHED.
The Memo underscored, however, that their participation is on voluntary basis and participants must obtain approval from the respective heads of their institution.
The endorsement was signed by J. Prospero E. De Vera III, DPA, and Officer-in-Charge of CHED last April 24, 2018 and which encouraged wide dissemination.
In addition, the Office of the Commissioner Representing the Visayas has also issued an Advisory Memo calling all youth organizations in the Visayas, youth-serving organizations, Local Government Units, Local Youth Development Officers, Regional Line Agencies, and youth stakeholders to support by participating in the two-day interactive and learning event.
The advisory memo was signed by Rhea B. Penaflor, herself a longtime youth rights advocate before being appointed as a Commissioner Representing the Visayas. Penaflor is also the Chairperson of the Committee on Health of NYC and holds an Assistant Secretary position.
A Commission under the Office of the President, the NYC carries the tagline: “The Voice and Advocate of the Youth,” has endorsed the Ideas Positive Youth Forum on Public Health as part of the simultaneous event for this year’s International Youth Day, an annual celebration every August 12.
Moreover, the Ideas Positive Youth Forum on Public Health also earned the support of the Iloilo City Government through the Local Youth Development Office (LYDO).
Iloilo City Youth Development Officer Rey Jason C. Gregorio has signified support as revealed by the photos posted at the Facebook Page of LYDO dated July 4, 2018 which showed Jasper Ruby Vijar and Alfred Dicto of Unilab Foundation, Inc. paying a courtesy visit to Gregorio and gather the support of his office.
The first regional forum outside Manila
For the first time, the Unilab Foundation brings the youth forum outside of the country’s capital in its aim to create a closer engagement in the regions and spur public awareness on public health issues of the day.
The two-day event which will be held at the Iloilo Convention Center will bring together the youth who are working on the field of public health, governance, and development from both the public and private sectors, the academe, youth groups from the communities, and individual advocates.
The Ideas Positive Youth Forum on Public Health will be a venue for the youth sector to interact, discuss, and exchange ideas on public health problems and shape-up solutions through projects initiatives that can be supported by Unilab Foundation in its aim of building a healthier Philippines.
Ideas Positive 8th Run
A premier youth engagement program of Unilab Foundation, Inc. in the Philippines, the Ideas Positive was established in 2012 and intended to engage the youth to develop innovative solutions for public health issues and concerns for their communities.
Now on its eighth run, the Ideas Positive is instrumental in activating youth interest for engagement on public health in their respective localities. It has involved over 37,000 youth who has helped transformed more than 150 communities.
The initiatives that they have implemented has touched the lives of more than 1.7 million Filipinos nationwide.
The Forum is supported by its partners: Sun Life Foundation, National Youth Commission, United Nations Development Programme Philippines, University of the Philippines Visayas-University Student Council, University of San Agustin Student Council, STEM.ph, Philippine Society of Youth Science Clubs, Iloilo Doctors College-Supreme Student Council, University of the Philippines Visayas Debate Society, and OPPO Philippines.