By Honeybunch Sabete
HAPI Membership Officer / HAPI Bacolod Member
Youth empowerment is one of HAPI Bacolod’s core priorities. Since the pioneers of HAPI Junior stepped up to be part of HAPI Bacolod, the chapter has been led by young people who are driven with love and passion towards a positive change in our society.
Last August 23, 2021 in the City of Bacolod, the chapter joined a convention held by the Sangguniang Kabataan (Local Youth Council) in which they facilitated the formation of the Local Youth Development Council (LYDC).
HAPI-Bacolod joined other youth-led organizations from different advocacies and sectors, including:
| Negrosanon Young Leaders Institute Inc. | Amlig | Children Optimization for the Revitalization of Environment (CORE) | Linghod |
| Faithfull – Proyekto Pagtuo (Boy Scout of the Philippines) | Junior Chamber International (JCI) Bacolod | Magsungay Fisherfolk Youth Association (MAFYA) | Negros Environmental Watch |
| Rotaract Club of Metro Bacolod | Rotaract Club of USLS Bacolod | Kabataan Kontra Droga at Terrorismo (KKDAT) | Banaag LGBTQ Inc. |
| Bagani Bacolod | Youth Empowering Youth (YEY) | Sowing Legacy Movement Inc. | Amnesty International Bacolod-Negros |
…in becoming the new faces of the Bacolod LYDC.
Rayd Espeja, Lead Convenor of HAPI Bacolod, was proud of the youthful collaboration. “It is refreshing to see how youth from different organizations are able to collaborate for the common good of the society,” he shared. “Having a fresh perspective towards social issues not just in Bacolod but also across the Philippines is just what we need. HAPI Bacolod remains true to its mission to become a model organization in Negros Island.”
The formation of such youth councils by Sangguniang Kabataan not only in the City of Bacolod but also across the cities and municipalities of neighboring provinces have been demonstrably effective in intensifying youth-based advocacies and campaigns.
“It is a privilege for HAPI Bacolod to participate in this kind of coalition because it empowers and focuses on the youth,” said Glemir Sordilla, the chapter’s Committee Head on Education. “[W]e are excited to work with the organizations onboard LYDC; sure enough, we will be competitive to meet the group’s expectations.”
