VICTORIAS LGU HOSTS SUCCESSFUL PEER EDUCATORS TRAINING FOR YOUTH

Victorias City Government through the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) in partnership with City Health Office and Commission on Population and Development (CPD) Region VI, successfully conducted a three-day Peer Educators Training from July 9 to 11, at Victorias City Aquatic Center Pavilion 1.

This training aimed to address pressing social issues among the youth, including teenage pregnancy and delinquency.

A total of 26 Sangguniang Kabataan officials in Victorias headed by SK Federation President Councilor Trisha Majan partake in the training to equip them with the necessary skills and knowledge to become effective peer educators.

Participants learned new ideas and techniques for peer counseling, practiced empathic listening skills, and received training on proper counseling methods to become efficient peer advocates.

Factors such as peer pressure, dysfunctional family, lack of awareness, poverty, and engagement in vices that lead to unwanted pregnancies, poor health, mental health issues, and an inability to achieve personal goals were also discussed.

Furthermore, participants underwent an HIV testing.

Ricky Lapidante Jr., RSW, and Ian Publico, RN, led the training sessions. Both focal persons on Adolescent Health and Development provided valuable insights and guidance throughout the event.

This initiative not only aimed to raise awareness among adolescents but also sought to boost the self-confidence of the participants and mold them into effective educators and advocates for their peers.