Davao City will host youth leaders from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and Japan as part of the activities during the four-day stay of the delegates for Ship for Southeast Asian and Japanese Youth Program (SSEAYP) in the Philippines.
Steve Laurence Arquiza, the former commissioner of the National Youth Commission (NYC) said that at least 13 visitors — 11 youth leaders, Philippine national leader, and ship administrator – out of more than 300 SSEAYP delegates will be visiting some of the city’s tourism destinations.
For the first time, the Japanese government will bring some delegates on a side trip to a city in Mindanao in spite of security concerns.
To quote Arquiza, a former Philippine delegate to SSEAYP, “We are happy that they decided to include Davao in the program. The Japanese government, especially its Japanese consulate here in Davao, sends out advisories to residents in Mindanao because of the security situation. Regardless of those issues, they decided to bring in the program here.”
He said that bringing SSEAYP delegates to Davao shows the “trust and confidence” of the organizers city in the backdrop of security concerns and its capacity to hold meaningful activities.
Arquiza hopes that the participants will encourage more people to visit the city when they return to their home countries at the end of the 53-day program.
The delegates are scheduled to meet City Mayor Sara Duterte and visit Davao City’s Central 911, Public Safety and Security Command Center, Chocolate Museum of the Malagos Garden Resort, and Amiya Resorts Residences.
They will also experience Filipino culture during the three-day homestay program.
“The participating youths are expected to cultivate their leadership skills in the different fields tackling issues involving mainly the youth as stakeholders of the nation-building,” Atquiza said.
Tags: ASEAN, Davao City, japan
