La Union Youth Congress on Human Rights Conducted
[wp-svg-icons icon="user" wrap="span"] By: Rhea Matilde Ballesteros | [wp-svg-icons icon="camera" wrap="span"] By: GPC-SP | [wp-svg-icons icon="calendar" wrap="span"] Date: December 9, 2018
High school students signify their commitment to ending human rights abuses by stamping their handprints during the La Union Youth Congress on Human Rights on December 8-9, 2018 at the Diego Silang Hall, City of San Fernando, La Union.
In celebration of the 70th Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Sangguniang Bayan Committee on Justice and Human Rights chaired by SPM Nancy Corazon M. Bacurnay spearheaded the conduct of La Union Youth Congress on Human Rights on December 8-9, 2018 at the Diego Silang Hall, City of San Fernando, La Union.
High school students both from public and private schools in La Union attended the event. SPM Bacurnay, in her opening message, said that the seminar aims to educate the youth about their basic human rights.
Dr. Rowena C. Banzon, Schools Division Superintendent, DepEd - Division of La Union graced the event and said in her message that DepEd is very grateful to the Provincial Government of La Union (PGLU) for including the students in one of its priority programs. Likewise, she encouraged the students to not just memorize their human rights but also to put in their hearts whatever will be imparted to them in the seminar.
During the two-day seminar, competent resource speakers talked on various issues concerning the youth of today. Former SP Chair on Justice and Human Rights, Hon. Henry A. Bacurnay, Jr., explained one by one, the 30 Articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Mr. Danilo T. Balino, Head Promotions Division and Information Officer III of the Commission on Human Rights, Region I apprised the students on the human rights situation in the Philippines.
One of the most common problems in schools, which is bullying, was discussed by Atty. Jessamine Lynn Dale Chua of the Provincial Legal Office of the PGLU. She explained the salient features of the “Anti-Bullying Act,” the different types of bullying and the procedures in handling bullying incidents in schools. The Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act was discussed by Atty. Jaime Gonzalez, Jr. as he enlightened the youth on the causes of delinquency, classification of delinquency and the common offenses of the youth. He said that the root cause of delinquency is family related or due to the lack of harmonious relationship existing between parents and children.
Aside from the lectures and workshops, team building activities were also conducted such as candle lighting in commemoration of human rights victim. “Let this light be our stepping stone to prove that we are not just youth, but we are youth with substance” uttered by Nikka Joy Abenoja, one of the participants in her human rights message. The students also stamped their hand prints which signified their commitment towards ending human rights abuses. “Breaking the Ice,” was also done to encourage the youth to break their silence and speak up for what is right while the “Web-Making” activity inculcated among the youth that even if they are different in color, race and belief, they are inter-connected and should look after each other’s welfare in order for everyone to succeed.
“Your life lies in your hands,” this was the message of the Honorable Vice-Governor Aureo Augusto Q. Nisce. On behalf of Gov. Francisco Emmanuel “Pacoy” R. Ortega III, Vice-Gov. Nisce imparted the need to always have passion on what they do and fighting for in order to succeed in life. As a father, he also shared the value of listening and obeying their parents. He also said that PGLU has been giving the youth proper tools and mechanisms such as this seminar that they could make use of to empower and better themselves in order to have a better future.
The seminar was concluded by each of the participant’s activity and commitment setting in celebration of the National Human Rights Consciousness Week in their respective schools. Among their commitments are re-echoing of the seminar, conduct of programs, seminars and symposia on human rights, posting of posters, quotes and small facts related to human rights and video presentation on human rights.
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