POPCOM IX AHD Focal Rogelio Plamiano provided an overview of the SHAPE-Training, which was attended by 55 youths from Kumalarang NHS, BNHS-Night, Baluno NHS, Begang NHS, OSY’s, and ALS, and facilitators led the capability development workshops to emphasize and promote the empowerment of today’s young Filipinos. The training consisted of four modules that address three aspects of adolescent development: physical, psychological, and social changes and the same were presented and discussed with the participants.

Meanwhile, in her talk, Mayor Sitti Djalia Turabin-Hataman emphasized the importance of the youth’s participation in issues that concern reproductive health, underscoring how a mature and informed approach toward sexuality lessens the risks and dangers attributed to ignorance about the said subject.

The goal of the training is to increase adolescent participants’ value awareness, investigate positive and enabling attitudes toward sexual and reproductive health, and assist adolescents in developing life skills such as life planning, critical thinking, negotiation, communication, problem-solving, and making better choices.

In attendance were POPCOM IX Project Development Officer I Heidi Berdin, Kumalarang NHS School Guidance Designate Sumlaiha Harun, Baluno NHS Guidance Advocate Joseph Bentulan, ALS Diana Gean Dela Cruz, BNHS Guidance Counselor Designate Rosita dela Cruz and SSG Adviser Said Jalmaani. (Words by S.J. Asakil/Photos by M.Santos, CIO)