NEARLY 50 youth representatives from across the Davao Region came together for the Vetting and Validation Workshop on the Costed Operational Plan for Children and Young People and the Comprehensive Package of HIV Services for Prevention, Screening, Treatment, Care, and Protection. The event focused on ensuring rights-based and inclusive access to HIV services for children, adolescents, and young people.
Organized by the National Young Key Population (YKP) Network, the workshop promoted meaningful, youth-led participation in shaping protocols and guidelines aimed at addressing the rise of HIV cases among the youth in the country.
John Paul Ordovez, Technical Secretariat of the Committee on Children and HIV and Aids (ComCHA), emphasized the importance of allowing young voices to contribute to improving the operational plan. He said the activity also aimed to raise awareness about the Costed Operational Plan and its role in the national HIV response.
“Ito yung kauna-unahan na validation vetting after magawa yung dalawang dokumento. So yung inaasahan na mangyayari, once na mabuo, yung, makonsolidate lahat ng mga inputs galing sa bata, yung dalawang dokumento na meron na ngayon ay mas mapapatatag nito, mas mapapapulido natin kasi ang gusto natin ipopularize ito sa mga areas, doon sa Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao. At i-adapt ito noong ating mga sangguniang kabataan na maging priority din nila na agenda or kanilang mga gawain (This is the first vetting and validation activity after the creation of these two important documents. Once inputs from the youth are consolidated, we aim to strengthen and refine these guidelines. Our goal is to popularize them across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao—and to encourage Sangguniang Kabataan leaders to adopt them as part of their priority agenda),” Ordovez told SunStar Davao on June 27 at Vitamer Function Hall.
Workshop sessions, facilitated by the NYP Network, encouraged participants to discuss challenges and propose solutions relevant to their communities. The youth were given the chance to identify service gaps and learn how they can engage in policy-making processes.
Ponciano L. Apa Jr. highlighted the importance of the training, especially in empowering young people who are active online.
"I believe, ang help nga mahatag ani nga training is that there would be credibility sa atong activities. And, we can ensure na ang atong activities ginabuhat is really answering the problem—not just adding for expenses, wala lang nagsayang-sayang ug fundings, but rather, it's the answer nga atong gipangita sa problem about HIV and child and adolescent pregnancy" he said.
The workshop concluded with a unified commitment from the participants to build inclusive communities that prioritize the well-being and rights of children and young people. Riccah Jedaina M. Ondoy, NDDU Intern