28/08/2026
Day 1 of the Kalibo Youth Parliament
The First Day of the Kalibo Youth Parliament 2026 was successfully conducted on August 28, 2026 at the 4/F Conference Hall, New Municipal Building, Kalibo, Aklan, as one of the major activities of the Linggo ng Kabataan 2026 Celebration, carrying the theme โDifferent Contexts, Common Aspirations.โ The activity brought together young leaders and youth representatives from different sectors to provide them with an avenue to learn, exchange ideas, express their concerns, and develop their capacity to participate meaningfully in local governance and community development.
The day began with the registration of participants, followed by the preliminaries and the Opening Message delivered by Dave B. Gamayao, SK Federation President. This was followed by an Inspirational Message from Vice Mayor Phillip Y. Kimpo Jr., who encouraged the young participants to recognize the importance of their voices and their responsibility as young citizens and future leaders. The messages set the tone for a productive and meaningful two-day parliamentary engagement.
Janica Anne dela Peรฑa then introduced the participants to the Kalibo Youth Parliament, providing an overview of its purpose, structure, and significance as a platform for youth participation. This was followed by an interactive โGetting to Know Youโ activity facilitated by Wilfred Paller, which encouraged participants to build rapport, establish connections, and create a comfortable environment for collaboration and discussion.
One of the highlights of the morning session was the discussion on Youth Issues under the Philippine Youth Development Plan. The session provided participants with an opportunity to understand the various concerns affecting young people and to examine these issues within the broader framework of youth development. The discussion emphasized the importance of listening to the experiences and perspectives of young people and translating these concerns into concrete programs, policies, and actions.
The participants also engaged in a session on Community Involvement of Youth as Parliamentarians. The session highlighted the role of young people not merely as beneficiaries of government programs but as active partners in governance and community development. Through meaningful participation, young parliamentarians were encouraged to become more proactive in identifying community concerns, discussing possible solutions, and representing the interests of their fellow youth.
Before lunch, the participants took part with โLaundry Listing,โ facilitated by Wilfred Paller, which served as an activity for organizing and identifying the various concerns and issues raised by the participants. This activity helped provide a clearer direction for the succeeding discussions and resolution-writing process.
At 1:00 PM, a major learning session followed through Parliamentary Procedure, facilitated by Atty. Jude Mangilog. The participants were introduced to the basic principles and processes involved in parliamentary deliberations, including the importance of proper motions, orderly discussion, recognition of speakers, and respect for differing opinions. The session equipped the participants with practical knowledge that they could apply during the actual Youth Parliament proceedings.
The final major session for the day was Writing a Resolution, facilitated by Atty. Ralph Venus. Participants learned how to transform identified youth concerns into formal resolutions containing clear statements of issues, proposed actions, and recommendations. The session was particularly important in preparing the participants for the committee discussions and resolution development scheduled for the second day.
The first day concluded with another workshop facilitated by Wilfred, Roni, Anne, and Dane, where participants were given the opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills gained throughout the day. The activity encouraged teamwork, critical thinking, collaboration, and active participation among the youth parliamentarians.
