06 December 2016 — The ten delegates of the 5th Filipino Young Leaders Program (FYLPRO) met with Philippine Government officials to learn more about current political and governance issues confronting the country on November 25 and 28.
“Government Day,” a core element of the Filipino Young Leaders Program, aims to inform the delegates about the priorities and policies of the present Administration, with a view to identifying possible areas of cooperation and joint action. This year, Government Day was divided into two parts to allow the delegates and Government experts to delve into subjects of mutual interest.
The FYLPRO delegates and several alumni also joined Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo at the Ayala Museum for the turnover ceremony of books to the students of Ayala Foundation’s Center for Excellence in Public Elementary Education (CENTEX) in line with the observance of National Reading Month. They also toured the Presidential Museum and Library to trace the history and heritage of the Office of the President.
The delegates as volunteers for Habitat for Humanity’s Juan Build program at Bistekville 4, Visayas Ave., Quezon City. The Bistekville 4 is the fourth of the “Bistekville” socialized housing projects by the Local Government Unit of Quezon City to address the lack of affordable and decent in-city housing for informal settler families in Quezon City on November 26.
They visited the National Museum on November 27, as part of the cultural immersion program before proceeding to Intramuros.
The delegates also gathered at the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) for a roundtable discussion on the following day. The discussion focused on Philippine conditions with representatives from the DFA, National Economic and Development Authority, National Commission on Culture and the Arts, and Department of Social Welfare and Development.
“When we started FYLPRO in 2012, our goal was to reintroduce a new generation of Filipino Americans and mobilize them to become a force in the Philippines and the US,” said Assistant Secretary Maria Andrelita Austria.
“We wanted this program to foster bilateral relations between PH and US. We hope you will be able to contribute to the development of communities in projects where your talents and expertise are needed. I hope you identify yourself with something you can be proud of and direct your energies to something you find noble,” said Secretary of Foreign Affairs Perfecto R. Yasay, Jr.
In the afternoon, several members of the Philippine Senate met with the FYLPRO delegates to discuss the current legislative agenda, particularly those items pertaining to the youth, innovation, and poverty reduction.
Senators Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara, Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV, and Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan shared their programs and insights into leadership, political and civic engagement, and advocacy.
The 5th FYLPRO is a joint undertaking of the Philippine Foreign Service Posts in the United States, Ayala Foundation, Inc., and the FYLPRO nonprofit organization, in partnership with the Department of Foreign Affairs and this year’s corporate sponsors Ayala Corporation, PhilAm Life, SGV, PHINMA Corporation, and Philippine Airlines.END