“Panagtagbo” refers to encounter.
Last June 24, 2022, the Davao Association of Catholic Schools (DACS), along with the Ateneo de Davao University Blue Vote, Samahan ng mga Mag-aaral ng Agham Pampulitika (Samapula) and the Samahan Student Government organized the “Panagtagbo” among the different student leaders of the different DACS member schools across the Daditama region as well as other non-school-based youth organizations.
It was the first face-to-face engagement for most participants after two years of the pandemic.
One hundred forty-seven (147 youth) leaders attended and engaged one another in discussing what they would see as the priority agenda the Davao Region youth can present to the incoming Philippine government.
Sharing thoughts and insights on the DACS 6E agenda on Empowering Communities, Educational Reform, Enduring Peace, Enhanced Covid Response, Economic Recovery, and Environmental Protection was the highlight of the conference. The assigned student sharers from the DACS member schools highlighted how their various institutions have responded to the challenges of the six E’s and how they have impacted them as students.
Among the 6E’s, the youth of the Davao region resonates the most on empowering communities. It is the initial impression gathered after their breakout sessions.
In a diverse Mindanao, it makes sense given our context of “tri-people” and the unique challenges faced by each sector, Muslim, Lumad, and Christians. It also reflects how well the DACS schools are integrating this reality into our vision and missions, different but all looking in the same direction for Mindanao.
The rest of the agenda is prioritized by the Davao youth in this order: enduring peace, educational reform, environmental protection, economic recovery, and enhanced Covid response. All of these other agendas also generate responses anchored on the premise of how we can continue empowering communities.
Knowing where the energies and passion of the Davao youth are relative to the 6E agenda, a challenge was posed for them to continue identifying their passions. And also look for like-minded student leaders who can move in the same direction as theirs.
“Panagtagbo” was the first step toward this direction of self-awareness and getting people together.
As the new Philippine administration takes shape, we also participate in being active government collaborators, especially in the youth sector. However, we should not be mere collaborators but critical and active collaborators: who will share their passion and talents for the common good.
These youth must also be ready to stand for and be the voice of the marginalized and excluded in society. Youth must not be a reason for non-involvement; instead, it should be where good citizenship begins.