The Augustinians of the Assumption signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with Our Lady of Pentecost Parish, Barangay Loyola Heights, the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) of Barangay Loyola Heights, and the Caucus of Development NGOs Network last January 10, 2025, to implement yearlong JPIC activities among the youth of the barangay, whose boundaries are similar to those of the parish.
Social Conversations
Social Conversations is a monthly program that aims to discuss one social or ecological issue per month. This coming June 15, 2025, marks its sixth installment. Since the Philippines recently held its national and local elections, the topic will be Post-Elections Reflections. This follows a series of topics already covered: waste management (January), youth participation in governance (February), boundaries and safe spaces (March), media literacy (April), and political dynasties and corruption (May). (Please see previous articles for a more detailed explanation.)
Good Governance Initiative
This program aims to train and develop youth leaders capable of proposing and implementing projects with a JPIC perspective and consciousness. More than 20 youth volunteers attended this leadership program, which took place on March 29–30 and April 1, 2025. Although the speakers were not explicitly mentioned for report brevity, pool of experts were tapped to deliver their respective parts of the programs. On the first day, after the Holy Mass, there was an assessment of issues relevant to the youth, followed by a leadership seminar and a panel discussion on the current social state of the barangay, including youth involvement and participation in various government programs. The second day featured a workshop on conceptualizing and implementing project proposals.
The third day, designed to enhance the essential knowledge and skills acquired during the first two days, included a talk on the collaboration between the Church and the State, a seminar on the financial aspects of project planning, a mentoring session, and a workshop on leading and facilitating group discussions. The program is still ongoing; we are currently waiting for the youth to complete their proposals and present them to the barangay captain and/or local youth assemblies.
Jundelle Romulo Jalique, AA
