With the main objective of supporting the youth and preparing them to become the next generation in carabao-based farming business, the PCC through its Planning and Information Management Division (PIMD) conducted its first-ever youth camp last August 24-26 at the PCC National Headquarters in Science City of Muñoz in Nueva Ecija.

The camp, titled “Youth Camp 2019 Ablaze: Igniting the Passion of the Youth to take The Lead ,” was specifically aimed at: (1) offering a unique atmosphere in which the youth will appreciate their family dairy business; (2) building individual character, confidence, and leadership skills; and (3) inculcating with them the values and principles of the cooperative movement.

It was participated in by 49 youth members  and 4 youth program managers from Licaong Dairy Producers Cooperative, Eastern Primary Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Simula ng Panibagong Bukas Multi-Purpose Cooperative and Catalanacan Multi-Purpose Cooperative in Nueva Ecija.

Five youth leaders from Lamac Cooperative Youth Planet (LCYP) were invited as co-facilitators or resource persons, which include Kevin Abella Paslon, Abner David Repollo, Erica Rose Tuquib, Hazel Salaritan and Marnel Leones. They were youth leaders who have been leading a strong force of some 13,179 active youth members in Cebu City.

Activities conducted were the following: (1) youth talk, (2) team-building activities, (3) entertainment night, (4) short courses on entrepreneurial activity and talent workshop; and (5) solidarity night.

A family bonding or “Fam Bond” and a culminating activity   were also conducted during the third day of the camp. These activities gave the youth participants the opportunity to bond with their parents through games, show off their talents on stage, and share their experiences and learnings during the camp.

Jessa Evangelista, one of the participants, said in tears how the camp helped her: “I thank PCC for the opportunity given to me. I learned valuable lessons during the camp especially during the teambuilding activities wherein my teammates had to carry me to be able to pass through the spider web game. At first, we were hesitant if I could make it since I am heavy and big. But through that activity, we learned that we can conquer any obstacles or battles as long as we are helping each other and we are united in one spirit and objective.

Czarina Carla Pimentel, another participant, happily shared in an interview her comment about the camp: “It is a big privilege for me that I am one of the participants of the youth camp. I am blessed to have experienced all the activities in this event. The youth camp molded me not just to be a second liner but also to become a better version of myself.  I hope that the PCC will continue reaching out to youth members of other cooperatives and give them the opportunity to ignite their passion to serve in their respective communities. On behalf of my co-participants, I want to thank PCC and LCYP facilitators for all the learnings, pieces of advice, and happy memories.”

Facilitators of the activity were composed of PIMD chief Dr. Liza Battad, Alvin David, Jan Czarina Salas, Julie Marie Sebastian, Joshua Villanueva, Pauline Maramag, and NIZ Coordinator Wilma Del Rosario.

Some farmer-champions including Rudy Say Sr., Samuel Mercader, Ana Liza Salazar, and Allan Benitez also shared their experiences in carabao farming during the culminating activity. They thanked the PCC for letting their sons and daughters experienced attending in the camp and appreciate their carabao farming business endeavors.

Other activities such as series of lectures and trainings on leaderships and courses on carabao-based businesses are set to be conducted by the PCC-PIMD in the future to further hone the knowledge and skills of youth in leadership and carabao-based farming business .

The youth camp served as an introductory activity to establish the youth development program of PCC in its impact zone cooperatives. Its end goal is to help the impact zone cooperatives create their own youth laboratory cooperatives with continuing support from PCC until they reach self-sufficiency.