Parañaque holds youth health summit

To discover the strengths of the youth and to give more focus to health programs, the Parañaque City government recently held the first ever Parañaque City Youth Health Summit with the theme "Health in the Hands of the Youth" at the City Hall quadrangle.

Parañaque Mayor Florencio Bernabe Jr. said the activity was aimed at providing opportunities for the youth to participate in health programs, identify key strategies that motivate young people to make healthy choices, and define opportunities for enhancing youth participation in health initiatives in the city.

"The youth represent the hope of our country so we must do all we can to attend to their needs," Bernabe said.

He stressed that helping the youth is one of his administration’s top priorities, especially since adolescence is when they are confronted with problems like peer pressure and drug abuse.

Apart from constructing a high school in Barangay Moonwalk and an elementary school in Barangay Sun Valley to boost education, the mayor plans to expand public schools in Barangays Vitalez, San Martin de Porres.

A morning Mass, a dance presentation from students of Dr. Arcadio Santos National High School and awarding of winners of a youth logo contest, were also held.

The event was organized by Parañaque Department of Social Welfare and Development head Dean Calleja, City Health Office head Dra. Olga Virtusio, the mayor’s son Benjo Bernabe, Parañaque Youth and Sports Development Office head Louie Perez II, and Save the Children/US officers Maribeth San Miguel, Melania Samonte and Philip Carl Jose.

Next year’s health summit is slated for Jan. 25-27, with various activities lined up, including a photo contest, an abstract painting contest and the selection of winners for the Mayor’s Youth Award. – Rhodina Villanueva