SAGADA, Mountain Province – The provincial government, through its Office of the Provincial Youth Development Officer (OPYDO), co-hosted the National Youth Parliament (NYP) – Regional Assembly for Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) along with the National Youth Commission (NYC) in Sagada, Mountain Province last June 12-14, 2025.
With 100 delegates from the six provinces and the two cities of CAR, the NYP aimed to gather youth leaders to discuss issues affecting them, craft policy recommendations, and engage them in nation-building.
During the opening ceremony at the Sagada Cave Pension Haus, Sagada Mayor Felecito O. Dula expressed his warm welcome to all participants and appreciation to the organizers for choosing Sagada as their venue. He also urged them to enjoy the cool climate while making meaningful resolutions for youth development.
Subsequently, Governor Bonifacio C. Lacwasan, Jr., represented by Provincial Administrator John K. Likigan, gave an inspiring message, urging the participants to freely express themselves and actively participate in lawmaking and policy resolutions.
Meanwhile, NYC Commissioner-at-Large, Assistant Secretary Michelle Mae Gonzales set the tone for the day by reminding the delegates that true change stems from informed, engaged, and empowered Filipino youth.
The first day of the assembly began with orientation sessions led by NYC Social Marketing Division Chief Cristabeth Jacinta A. Madrigal and NYC CAR head Dr. Sheridan Athena Yamoyam Gajete, followed by discussions on gender and development led by NYC Social Marketing Division Chief Elsa Magdaleno and a lecture on parliamentary procedure by Provincial Youth Development Officer Arthur Leonard B. Odsey.
In the evening, the participants were assigned to 10 groups, which represent the Philippine Youth Development Plan (PYDP) sectors, namely: Health; Education; Economic Empowerment; Social Inclusion and Equity; Peacebuilding and Security; Active Citizenship; Environment; Governance; Global Mobility; and Agriculture. They then elected their committee officers and adjourned for the night.
On the second day, the session began with each committee making a list of key issues affecting the youth in their localities. They discussed possible solutions and aligned their priorities with the PYDP. Guided by the facilitators, each group selected the most pressing issue and drafted a resolution, which was all presented on the last day.
On the final day, Miguel N. Montojo, Chairman of the 13th NYP CAR presided over the plenary. Each committee formally submitted their resolution for deliberation and approval by the body. After all resolutions had been tackled and approved, the body proceeded to the ceremonial signing, then handed the documents to the NYC and to the LGUs, represented by PYDO Odsey.
In her closing message, NYC Executive Director and COO Villalon challenged the participants, saying, “Bitbitin ninyo ang layunin, pag-igihin at pagsanayin ang sarili para sa Bayan, at huwag ninyong kalimutan, kapayapaan at kalayaan ay nagsisimula sa atin.”
After the closing ceremony, the province treated the participants to a tour, featuring Sagada’s tourist attractions.
Meanwhile, during the post-activity assessment between the personnel of the NYC Central office and the provincial government, several NYC staff claimed that the NYP in Mountain Province is by far the best among all the 17 regional and cluster assemblies held in the entire country since 2022. By MP-PIO
