TEY in Action: SIPDM Alumni Turn Interns, Lead Women’s Rights Drive for 4Ps Beneficiaries in Libungan
Demonstrating the core mission of the Transformative Education for Youth (TEY) program—to move students from classroom theory to community leadership—three alumni of the Summer Institute for Peace and Development Motivators (SIPDM) successfully spearheaded a critical legal awareness seminar on April 2, 2025 at a rural village located on the outskirts of Libungan Municipality called Barangay Grebona.
The event serves as a validation of the TEY framework, which utilizes the “Student-to-Mentor” model to empower youth. Currently completing their internships as Bachelor of Science in Social Work (BSSW) students, the organizers (including two female leaders) convened the seminar titled “Empowering Women through Legal Awareness: Understanding Rights and Protection under Republic Acts 9262 & 9710.”
The initiative was launched to equip vulnerable sectors with the legal tools necessary to protect themselves against abuse and discrimination. This aligns with the TEY program’s goal of producing graduates who are not only academically proficient but also socially responsible.
To ensure the accuracy and authority of the information, the student interns leveraged the networking skills honed during their SIPDM training to secure strategic partnerships with the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO).
Resource persons, PMSg Jerica J. Ostique and Carin M. Andoloy from the Police Regional Office XII led the discussions, providing comprehensive lectures on Republic Act 9262 (Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act) and Republic Act 9710 (Magna Carta of Women).
The sessions moved beyond theory, utilizing open forums to discuss practical scenarios related to protection from abuse, reporting mechanisms, and the promotion of gender equality.
The seminar successfully gathered 53 beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps). Reflecting the TEY program’s emphasis on “Tri-People” cohesion, the attendees included a diverse mix of 48 migrant settlers and 5 members of Indigenous Peoples (IP) communities. With 92% of the participants being women, the event directly targeted the demographic most at risk of gender-based violence.
The seminar achieved its goal of transforming legal jargon into actionable knowledge. Participants reported a heightened ability to recognize the signs of abuse and a clearer understanding of how to seek help for themselves or their neighbors.
By empowering these women with knowledge of their rights, the SIPDM alumni have proven the efficacy of the Transformative Education for Youth program. They have fostered a stronger, more resilient community network in Barangay Grebona, one that is capable of standing up against violence and injustice.
