LA TRINIDAD, Benguet– A youth group in the municipality of Bokod continues to enhance their skills by helping the community during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The youth should unleash the talents and potentials that God has given us, enhance the skills and potentials para maging kapakipakinabang para sa atin at sa ibang tao,” Irish Paterno of the Cobabeng Empowered Youth Organization said during the February 2 Network Briefing News program of the Presidential Communications Operations Office.
Paterno said youth in Daclan in Bokod formed a group in 2020 that would continue to enhance their skills despite the lockdowns, and at the same time provide support to their community in their own little way.
The Cobabeng Empowered Youth Organization primarily aims to be an exemplary youth organization that will serve the community. It is guided by Jobelle Batanes as its adviser and supported by the local government of Bokod headed by Mayor Thomas Wales, the Bokod Municipal Police Station, Governor Melchor Diclas and other stakeholders.
Paterno said the group conducted clean up drives and beautification in schools, the community, including the national roads and other areas of the municipality to promote cleanliness and at the same time, prevent diseases like mosquito-borne diseases.
The youth group also conducted a community pantry to provide help to those in need of food and grocery items, and clothes. This was dubbed as ”Semek” or Love for the Bokodians through the Community Pantry.
Paterno said they continue to engage their members and other youth in their community thru various activities such as personality development seminars, sports activities and the training workshop on the production of bamboo instruments and accessories by the National Commission on Culture and the Arts thru the Hapiyoh Mi Cultural Group.
The youth group also participated in the recent 2021 Bokod Youth Summit which also had an information education and communication campaign on Cordillera Autonomy and Development. This was in partnership with the Talented and Unfazed Leaders Empowered for Development or the TULED Youth Group.
Paterno encouraged other youth in the different communities to also conduct activities that would continue to develop their personalities and skills during the pandemic. **JDP/RMC- PIA CAR
