Research tackles youth, social issues
A study, entitled “A Research on the Youth in Barangay Poblacion, Liloan,” by a team of Young Minds Academy (YMA) Season 5 scholars of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI)–Eduardo Aboitiz Development Studies Center (EADSC) explores social issues confronting fraternities.
The research team, composed of Margaret Anne Momongan, Alexis Margret Aberion, Alexis Jan Cumba, Jan Frances Rañada, and Mikee Pepito, intended to provide a comparison and analysis of the social activities and lifestyle of fraternity and non-fraternity members to better understand incidences of fraternity-related violence. Around 250 young people with different socioeconomic backgrounds from the barangay were randomly surveyed. Focus group discussions with selected fraternity members as well as key informant interviews with local leaders and experts, including Liloan Mayor Duke Frasco, were also made.
In a feedback session last April 4 at the Amara Clubhouse, key stakeholders were asked to identify possible interventions to address fraternity-related violence. Municipal, barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials; and representatives from the Philippine National Police, Municipal Social Welfare Development Office, Pag-asa Youth Association of the Philippines (PYAP), and RAFI, attended the event.
Municipal Councilor Antonio Capangpangan pointed out the importance of educating and strengthening the relationship of parents with their children to ensure proper guidance. Senior Inspector Leo Ty of the Liloan Police Station said values formation and skills training must be provided, especially to those who already joined fraternities.
After the session, participants identified parental intervention, education and capability building, and values formation and leadership as top three solutions. They also identified specific programs, projects, and activities that they committed to initiate and support. The inputs gathered from the participants would be incorporated by the researchers in their final report.
Sociologist Aldwin Empaces, YMA alumnus and research consultant, challenged the participants to go beyond the status quo.
“Seeking for ways to resolve issues in the community requires thinking out of the box, brainstorming… and combined efforts of every citizen,” he said.
YMA is a program of RAFI-EADSC under the Leadership & Citizenship focus area, which aims to groom future leaders and influences in a community that is ready to effect change. Other focus areas of RAFI are Integrated Development, Microfinance & Entrepreneurship, Culture & Heritage, and Education.
For more information about YMA, you may contact Mel Yan at 418-7234 loc 110, or visit www.rafi.org.ph/leadership-citizenship/ young-minds-academy/ or www.facebook. com/rafi.org.ph, or follow RAFI on Twitter, @ rafiorgph.