Tubod, Lanao del Norte – 383 out-of-school-youth from different municipalities of this province underwent a three-day camp last January 18-20, 2011 at the provincial capitol grounds, Brgy. Pigcarangan, Tubod.

Organizing the youth camp are the Provincial Population Office (PPO) and Y4D (Youth for Development) group.

“The main purpose of the camp is to inculcate our youth with positive values that will make them effective and productive members of society”, PPO Head Anannette B. Daniel explained.

Participants of the camp belong to the 15-24 age group which is the primary beneficiaries of this value-formation workshop under the ‘Kabataan Sigurado’ program of Gov. Khalid Dimaporo.

“During the 3-day camp, participants were given free transportation to and from the venue, snacks, and some food to cook for their daily meals. Their barangays also gave them a little pocket money for some incidental expenses”, Information Officer Lyndon Calica said.

Among the activities of the camp were symposiums, candle lighting, treasure hunting, and clean-up drive.

Topics discussed include self-awareness, responsible sexuality, confronting threats and risks, youth empowerment, infiltration of the youth sector, media orientation, climate change, and identifying hazards and its countermeasures, and living effectively with parents.

Camp facilitators include officers from Y4D, and officials from PPO, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), AFP, Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO), Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) and Alternative Learning, Livelihood and Employment Assistance Program (ALLEAP).

The coastal town of Maigo was the first municipality scheduled for the youth camp last January 18-20, 2012. Bacolod is scheduled on January 24-26, while Kauswagan is set on January 27-29, 2012. The activity is expected to finish by March, this year. LAR & VNL/PIO-LDN