FORGING PARTNERSHIPS FOR STUDENT FORMATION IN THE NEW NORMAL
By Aira Jelleane Pacquiao and Rikki Belle Tayo
Last June 27, 2022, a Memorandum of Understanding and Contract of Engagement Signing Ceremony was held at the AVR 1 Old Library Building in Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan (XU-ADC) and was live streamed via zoom for participants whose locations are not in Cagayan de Oro to officially forge the partnership between the Xavier University through the National Service Training Program (XU-NSTP) and its partner institutions within the City of Cagayan de Oro.
Present at the event were the partner institutions: Xavier University Junior High School (XUJHS), Xavier University Senior High School (XUSHS), Xavier University Community Credit Cooperative (XUCCCO), Arrupe Educational Center, Human Rights Violation Victim's Memorial Commission, Department of Trade and Industry Misamis Oriental (DTI-MisOr), Department of the Interior and Local Government Region X (DILG-MisOR.), Balay Alternative Legal Advocates for Development (BALAOD) Mindanaw, City Government-Empowered Volunteers Opportunities (EVO), City Local Environment and Natural Resources Office (CLENRO), Present in the live stream was, PEACE Corps, International Center for Innovation, Transformation and and Excellence in Governance (INCITEGov), Inc, Philippine Movement for Climate Justice (PMCJ), and Human Rights Victims’ Violation Memorial Commission (HRVVMC). The activity was graced by the presence of Ms. Irene Grace A. Guitate the Vice President for Mission and Ministry, Fr. Mars P. Tan, SJ the University President and the former City Mayor Oscar S. Moreno. Under Mayor Moreno's leadership, XU-NSTP was able to conduct various societal engagements that involved different institutions and organizations in the city and benefited multiple stakeholders.
At the ceremony, two (2) students, Rikki Belle Tayo and Pamela Badiang, testified about the Ignatian Year Project and Consumer Education Advocacy conducted in the School Year 2021–2022. The Ignatian Year Project focused on facilitating the XUJHS learners not only about the Ignatian Values and Principles but also how to understand and live out their mission and identity in serving the country. The Consumer Education Advocacy helped prepare the students and participants to make informed decisions regarding purchasing products in a consumer culture. XU-NSTP endeavors to mold its students to achieve excellence, competence and compassion despite the pandemic. Mr. Carmelo Victor A. Cristanto from the Human Rights Violations Victims’ Memorial Commission also had an opportunity to speak about the partnership of NSTP and HRVVMC of how this partnership will help memorialize a part of our country’s history, most especially the stories of 11,103 human rights victims from 1972-1986 hoping that these archives will help educate the young people of our past.
These programs assisted students and the younger generation in broadening their perspectives on their roles and responsibilities in nation-building and preparing them to make informed decisions. The agreement broaden the scope of XU-NSTP's advocacy in raising awareness about societal issues and encouraging youth to take an active role in nation-building. With that, XU-NSTP did not only concentrate on teaching the students to develop their physical, moral, spiritual, intelectual, and social well-being, but they also involved them in various advocacies online. It did not only benefit the participants but more so the First Year college students encountered a new challenge that led them to grow and develop their capabilities as responsible citizens.
The agreement aims to mobilize communities primarily by providing the people with the necessary knowledge and skills, which they can use to improve their community. The students will make contributions to barangay development by carrying out their designated programs, projects, and advocacies with the guidance of the partners. The partnership aims to demonstrate to the students that by working with each other, a community can accomplish great things, leading to its progress.
