MADALAG, Aklan (Participation) – The DSWD6-4Ps, through the Municipal Operations Office (MOO) of Madalag, in strategic partnership with Pag-asa Youth Association of the Philippines (PYAP) joined forces to conduct a Youth Development Session (YDS) among 38 youth at Guadalupe Farm, Brgy. Balactasan here on Tuesday.

The initiative gathered young participants, comprising both 4Ps beneficiaries and non-4Ps youth, to foster holistic development and facilitate open dialogue on key social and health issues.

Throughout the day, attendees engaged in comprehensive discussions starting with an introduction to YDS, followed by vital topics such as mental health, sex education, and HIV/AIDS awareness.

The event was enriched by insights from esteemed public and private sector resource speakers, including Fritz P. Pahilagao, RN from Aklan POO, Raffy T. Relator from the Aklan Provincial Population and Gender Office, and Lionel Laurente from Butterfly Brigade Inc.

Lionel Laurente, President of the non-government organization Butterfly Brigade Inc., shares key insights on sustaining and deepening the strategic partnership built between their organization and the 4Ps, particularly with MOO Madalag.

“Our collaboration officially began in 2026 when we were invited to serve as resource speakers during their YDS, a crucial venue we leveraged to break the intense fear of stigma and address the critical lack of localized health information regarding HIV/AIDS,” he said.

Furthermore, he said that they established peer support networks for beneficiaries living with or affected by HIV to ensure continuous mental health care and treatment adherence so parents remain healthy and able to provide for their families.

“From our perspective on the ground, 4Ps can significantly expand its impact by prioritizing adolescent sexual health to protect vulnerable youth amidst rising national HIV rates—and by integrating mental health recognizing that chronic illness stigma and health-related trauma severely hinder a family’s journey toward self-sufficiency,” he added.

Butterfly Brigade contributes directly to the 4Ps through education, health services, and stigma reduction by co-facilitating YDS/FDS on reproductive health, HIV prevention, safe practices, and myth-busting, while also offering free, confidential community-based screening (CBS).

The event was fully supported by LGU Madalag, through the MSWD Officer, Annie P. Sioco and Youth Focal, Rachel Namaya, for their unwavering support in making this initiative a reality.

This successful gathering is the beginning of continuous collaborations aimed driving youth development, empowerment, and strong community representation for future activities across the municipality./Madalag MOO, Aklan POO