21/08/2026
๐๐๐ข ๐๐ผ๐๐๐ต ๐น๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ ๐ฝ๐๐๐ต ๐๐๐ฟ๐ผ๐ป๐ด๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป ๐ผ๐ป ๐ฎ๐ฑ๐ผ๐น๐ฒ๐๐ฐ๐ฒ๐ป๐ ๐ฝ๐ฟ๐ผ๐๐ฒ๐ฐ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป ๐ฎ๐ ๐ฃ๐ข๐ฃ๐๐๐ฉ ๐๐น๐๐ฏ ๐๐ผ๐ป๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ด๐ฒ๐ป๐ฐ๐ฒ
๐๐๐๐๐ฌ๐๐ก ๐๐ ๐ข๐ฅ๐ข ๐๐๐ง๐ฌ โ Youth leaders, school representatives, educators, and youth advocates called for stronger action on adolescent protection, online safety, and youth participation during the 2026 Citywide POPDEV Club Convergence with OSAEC and Online Safety held August 8 at the City Tourism Hall.
Organized by the Cagayan de Oro Teen Center - Community Improvement Division through the Adolescent Health and Development (AHD) Program, the convergence brought together participants from public and private secondary schools and youth organizations to discuss concerns affecting adolescents and strengthen their role in creating safer, healthier, and more inclusive communities.
The gathering placed particular emphasis on the risks young people face in digital spaces, including Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children (OSAEC).
In a message delivered on behalf of the Office of the City Vice Mayor, participants were reminded that growing up in an increasingly digital world brings both opportunities and risks. The message encouraged young people to understand online threats, speak up when something is wrong, and choose courage and kindness over silence.
โThe more you know, the safer you become,โ the message stated.
๐๐ฟ๐ผ๐บ ๐ฎ๐๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ป๐ฒ๐๐ ๐๐ผ ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป
Discussions during the convergence tackled peer leadership, adolescent development, relationships, digital safety, child protection, community empowerment, and youth participation.
Neil Aldrin G. Omega led a session on peer leadership, emphasizing the influence young people have on one another, particularly when adolescents face difficult or sensitive concerns. Participants were encouraged to establish healthy boundaries, make responsible decisions, and recognize the difference between what is popular and what is right.
The session also stressed that online safety goes beyond protecting accounts and devices. It includes protecting oneโs dignity, rights, relationships, and future.
Joshua Kenan Ruiz followed with a discussion on building healthier, safer, and more empowered schools and communities. Participants took part in interactive activities and were encouraged to support initiatives that respond to gaps in youth services, including the need for teen centers in communities where such facilities are not yet available.
Jonah Domingoโs discussion on โIncredibles Assemble 2026,โ centered on the theme โLead, Inspire, Empower,โ further highlighted adolescent empowerment through meaningful participation, comprehensive education, positive peer influence, and leadership development.
The program also recognized the role of teen centers, POPDEV clubs, local government units, and school partners in promoting responsible decision-making and healthy lifestyles while upholding childrenโs rights to survival, development, protection, and participation.
For Michael L. Abrogar, a POPDEV program coordinator, the value of the annual convergence goes beyond bringing young people together for a single event.
Abrogar said the gathering allows youth leaders, teen-center moderators, and student organizations to better understand issues affecting adolescents and identify appropriate actions to prevent or lessen these concerns.
He said participating student leaders from public and private schools discuss concerns including teenage pregnancy, mental health concerns, and drug-related problems.
More importantly, Abrogar said participating schools and organizations are expected to develop action plans, activities, and programs based on the issues experienced by their students and communities.
He identified the development of well-informed, empowered, healthy, and responsible young people as a long-term goal of the program, particularly in strengthening youth leadership among peers.
๐ฃ๐ฟ๐ผ๐๐ฒ๐ฐ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป ๐ฏ๐ฒ๐๐ผ๐ป๐ฑ ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐๐ฐ๐ต๐ผ๐ผ๐น
Melinda Perez, a school teacher, emphasized that protecting young people requires cooperation beyond the school environment.
Perez called for stronger partnerships among schools, barangays, and city officials, particularly through an effective referral system that can connect students with appropriate assistance when they encounter problems.
She also highlighted the importance of peer educators, noting that some students may be more comfortable seeking help from someone their own age because of the fear of being judged by adults.
Her schoolโs โTeam Crediblesโ social media campaign was also cited as an initiative intended to reach learners who may need support, particularly in digital spaces.
For Perez, protecting young people is a shared responsibility.
โIt takes a village to develop a child,โ she said.
Newly elected POPDEV Club Federation President Perland Pellerin likewise emphasized the need to bring youth development efforts down to the grassroots level.
Pellerin said youth organizations should first identify the specific gaps and challenges experienced by young people before developing appropriate responses.
He pointed to school- and community-based support centers, partnerships with city offices and other stakeholders, continuous communication among youth officers, and stronger training for student leaders as areas that need continued attention.
He also described convergence activities as an opportunity for school organizations to exchange experiences, ideas, and solutions instead of addressing youth concerns separately.
โIt takes a community to raise a child,โ Pellerin said.
๐ฆ๐๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ป๐ด๐๐ต๐ฒ๐ป๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ผ๐ป๐น๐ถ๐ป๐ฒ ๐๐ฎ๐ณ๐ฒ๐๐
The convergence also tackled the protection of young people from threats in digital spaces, including Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Materials (CSAEM).
The Regional Anti-Cybercrime Unit 10 (RACU 10) of the Philippine National Police was highlighted for its role in identifying and addressing cyber-related criminal activities and monitoring activities in cyberspace, particularly those involving the exploitation of children.
Participants were reminded of the risks associated with creating, storing, and sharing abusive or exploitative material involving children. Discussions also emphasized that digital files can be compromised and later used for exploitation or extortion, including through compromised devices or account transfers.
The session reinforced the importance of avoiding the creation and sharing of such material and exercising greater responsibility in digital spaces.
The discussions were followed by the launching of SwipeSafe, reinforcing the convergenceโs focus on responsible digital engagement and safer online spaces.
๐ฌ๐ผ๐๐๐ต ๐น๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐๐ต๐ถ๐ฝ ๐ฐ๐ผ๐ป๐๐ถ๐ป๐๐ฒ๐
The afternoon program featured the launching of Project 25@28, the election and presentation of POPDEV Club Federation officers, the presentation of the 2025 AHD Report, the POPDEV Quiz Bee, and the presentation of the Online Social Media Campaign Competition and Pasigarbo 2026.
The convergence also served as a platform for young leaders and youth organizations to strengthen their participation in addressing issues affecting their generation.
Rather than treating the gathering as an end in itself, the discussions emphasized the need for continued action in schools and communities.
Through stronger partnerships, peer support, referral systems, youth-led initiatives, and responsible digital engagement, participants were encouraged to turn awareness into concrete efforts that respond to the realities young people face.
Centered on the theme โLead, Inspire, Empower,โ the convergence underscored that youth development is a shared responsibilityโand that young people themselves have an important role in building safer, healthier, and more inclusive communities in Cagayan de Oro City.
News by Danah Leal Bantilan
Photos by Christian Ansit
