Youth participants share their awareness campaign on mental health.

In line with Safer Internet Day, the youth of General Santos City championed different awareness advocacy campaigns, particularly on mental health and Internet safety.

During the “Create, Communicate, Connect” workshop, the participants shared their campaigns with the panelists, namely Stephen Ong from Facebook’s Digital Tayo Empowerment Program; Linya-Linya Creative Director Ali Sangalang; YouTube Vlogger Joshua Pantonial; and Smart’s Digital Communications Manager Eli Mendoza. The participants came from five barangays, including Calumpang, Sinawal, Baluan, Lagao, and Fatima.

“We are very proud of our youth for working on campaigns that will enhance the way we communicate our advocacies to our communities in General Santos City. It is our privilege to work with PLDT and Smart in strengthening our commitment to provide safer spaces for the youth through mental health and Internet safety,” said Sangguniang Kabataan of General Santos City Federation President John Demdam.

Sangguniang Kabataan of General Santos City Federation President John Demdam shares the roadmap of the community-based mental health program of GenSan. 

“As we celebrate Safer Internet Day, through our partnership with the local government of General Santos City and its Sangguniang Kabataan, we empower the youth in championing advocacies and fostering collaborative community action. Through PLDT and Smart’s Better Today program, we create positive changemaking by partnering with like-minded individuals, communities, and organizations,” said Jose Lukban Rosete, Smart Assistant Vice President for Government Relations.

The youth from Barangay Fatima created an advocacy campaign focused on mental health awareness, specifically on anxiety.

Amid the pandemic, anxiety can be experienced by everyone, especially those who are coping with the detrimental effects of isolation and quarantine.

“Joining this workshop means that I am part of an important process when it comes to changemaking. I also get to create our own advocacy, and how can we make it happen by using our dynamic connection, which is the Internet. By learning how to make the right and efficient internet content, we can tap our own perspectives and create impactful changes towards a Better Today,” said Fea Dee Federizo, one of the youth representatives from Barangay Fatima.

Better Today is a key part of PLDT and Smart’s continuing commitment to help the Philippines contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG), particularly UNSDG #3 that stands for good health and well-being, and UNSDG #16 that stands against abuse, violence, and exploitation of children.