Over 5,000 Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) adolescents have been empowered through the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Youth Development Session (YDS) – Volume 1, held from October 2023 to May 2024. This initiative, themed “Unleashing Potentials: A Journey of Self-Discovery and Empowerment,” aimed to equip adolescents with essential life skills and foster their holistic development.
The YDS is an after-school youth life education program designed to address the developmental challenges faced by adolescents. It provides crucial knowledge and skills related to physical, sexual, cognitive, social, and emotional development. The program’s curriculum includes sessions on understanding oneself and others, improving communication and leadership skills, developing responsible decision-making abilities, and involving participants in community action programs.
The YDS program engaged a total of 5,343 participants from 114 secondary schools across the region, with significant support from local government units (LGUs), schools, and contributions from City/Municipal Operations Office staff. Out of the total participants, 4,595 successfully completed all sessions, demonstrating an impressive completion rate of 85.96%.
The program received considerable financial support from various LGUs, highlighting the collaborative effort to empower the youth amounting to Php2,103,241.75.
Albay has pledged Php355,666.00, followed by Camarines Norte with Php121,075.00; Camarines Sur I, Php387,407.00; Camarines Sur II, Php601,888.75; Catanduanes, Php121,100.00; Masbate, Php188,030.00; and Sorsogon with allocated amount of Php328,075.00
This initiative’s success was due in large part to the contributions from multiple 4Ps provincial operations offices, showcasing a strong community commitment to youth development.
The DSWD’s commitment to the holistic development of adolescents is reflected in the extension of the program coverage to include children up to 18 years old. This extension aims to support high school student beneficiaries by incentivizing school attendance and addressing the higher costs associated with secondary education.
The YDS program, established through the National Advisory Council (NAC) Resolution 34 series of 2016, aims to mitigate risks such as peer pressure, early pregnancy, substance abuse, and social media hazards among 4Ps adolescent beneficiaries. The program’s objectives include familiarizing participants with each other, understanding adolescence’s rapid changes, improving personal hygiene, cultivating mindfulness, developing emotional regulation skills, and internalizing family and community roles.
The participants included 2,186 males and 2,351 females, with a majority being Pantawid beneficiaries. The age distribution ranged from 11 to 15 years and above, with Grade 7 having the highest participation. Notably, the program also included Indigenous Peoples and LGBTQIA+ participants, promoting inclusivity and diversity.
The successful implementation of the YDS – Volume 1 underscores the importance of providing comprehensive support to adolescents and their families. By fostering individual growth and supporting household dynamics, the YDS contribute to building stronger, more resilient communities and improving the overall well-being of families.