Lynxter Gybriel Leaño, Lourenz Jay Loregas
Over 400 youth of General Santos City (GenSan) delved into critical societal issues linked to the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), during the GenSan leg of Global Youth Summit (GYS) 2024 in SM City GenSan, July 9.
The GSY is a 5-month long activity jointly hosted by SM Cares, in collaboration with the Global Peace Foundation Philippines, which aims to empower youth across 17 provinces in the Philippines, each representing one of the 17 SGDs, fostering awareness and action among the participants.
During its 10th leg in GenSan, the summit featured four speakers who focused on SDGs 2, 3, 8, and 12—Zero Hunger, Good Health and Well-Being, Decent Work and Economic Growth, and Responsible Consumption and Production, respectively.
Aid not AIDS
Christopher Peñales, Chapter Program Manager of Family Planning Organization of the Philippines, Inc. (FPOP) SOCCSKSARGEN, and Jelord James Mesa, RN, Primary Care Nurse of the same organization, delved into the topic of HIV and AIDS awareness, linking it to SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being.
Mesa urged the attendees to take an active role in combating HIV and AIDS, encouraging them not to see themselves merely as passive recipients of aid but as proactive leaders in the fight against these health issues.
“Mga kabataan, ako ay naniniwala sa inyo. Naniniwala ako sa atin na we cannot just be beneficiaries, but also our leaders in trying. Because, always, as youth, you can. And we can, together, flip the curve, because if it's not you, then who?” Mesa said.
Stressing that prevention is better than cure, the FPOP SOCCSKSARGEN also offered a free HIV screening during the event.
Youth organization to cooperative
As the Director of the pioneering youth cooperative in Region 12, John Salvador Demdam shared insights into how youth organizations can evolve into cooperatives, aligning with SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth.
Drawing from his experience with the Calumpang Youth for Empowerment Service Cooperative (CALSECO), Demdam articulated how this initiative stands as the first youth cooperative in Region 12.
He recounted CALSECO’s transformative journey, emphasizing the critical support from key organizations like the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Region 12, SK Council, Cooperative Development Authority, RD Foundation, and the Local Government Unit of GenSan, alongside the support of dedicated individuals.
Zero Hunger
City Nutrition Program Coordinator, Imelda Silvero from City Nutrition Council of General Santos City stressed the importance of right nutrition for all ages, not only of children’s.
Her discourse about the SDG No. 2, gave essential insights to all the youths on how people should be receiving the right amount of nutrients to prevent experiencing malnutrition that can lead to different diseases.
Responsible, sustainable consumerism
Meanwhile, Ms. Elsie Villanueva, Assistant Department Head of City Agriculturist’s Office General Santos, tackled the significance of sustainability especially in the agricultural sector.
She underscored that being a responsible consumer is the primary step towards sustainability mainly in the Philippines’ agriculture as some Filipinos do not engage much in this field.
Additionally, she explained how many lands are now converted to housing properties leading to the deficiency of agricultural products.
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