Voice of the Youth General Santos supports the GenSan Youth Network

By Harlem Jude P. Ferolino

Through the help of the City Population Management Office, several Youth organizations in General Santos City came up with a Mother Network which will unite all young people (individual/organizations) as a venue for local/city development during the Youth Conference, held in April 7, 2014, an event organized for the Gensan Summerfest, the 1st Youth Festival in Soccsksargen. The name “Gensan Youth Network” was first proposed the following day, April 8, 2014, during the 1st meeting attended by 12 youth leaders from different organizations in the city. It was approved at the 2nd meeting held at the CPMO in April 15, 2015, where majority of the 28 participants voted to use the “Gensan Youth Network” as the official name.

Here is the list of the organizations represented by the 28 young people who attended the meeting:

1. Teen Support Group (TSG) – Mindanao State University-Gensan, MSU-CETD, Dadiangas North High School, Holy Trinity College, Tinagacan National High School, Bula National School of Fisheries

2. Supreme Student Government (SSG) – A.G. Busano Sr. High School, Dadiangas North High School, Holy Trinity College of G.S.C., Lagao National High Schol (Main), Tinagacan National High School, Irineo Santiago National High School, Bula National High School




3.   AFS of Sociology Department, MSU-Gensan




4.    Voice of the Youth General Santos (VOTY Gensan)




5.   Human Rights Society of MSU (HURISO)




6.   Junior Chamber International (JCI)




7.   FEED of MSU-Gensan




8.   CESO of MSU-Gensan




9.    YECS of MSU-Gensan

Youth Representatives from different Organizations

Aside from deciding the official name of the network, the guidelines for membership and the Committees on Youth Affairs are also presented. The guidelines stated that members of GYN should be an individual/group within Gensan, 12-30 years old, and must be a resident of General Santos. No membership fee is required, but the organization must submit a CBL or proof of the organization’s existence. The president or a representative from the organization must be present at meetings as an ex-officio. Lastly, the individual or organization must not have a political affiliation.

The committees for Youth Affairs are the following:

1. Education




2. Health




3. Livelihood




4. Sports & Recreation




5. Rights, Welfare, and Participation




6. Environment




7. Culture & Religion

Each of the committee has its Ad hocs who presented their proposal of activities that are to be done for the empowerment of the Gensan youth.

With regard to the aim of this Network, Voice of the Youth General Santos, the city’s chapter of Voice of the Youth Network, supports the activities of the Gensan Youth Network, as a medium of informing, inspiring, involving, and empowering the Filipino Youth here in General Santos City. VOTY Network is a growing collaboration of youth organizations in almost 78 provinces in the Philippines and is an internationally recognized premiere youth advocacy group of the country. This year, VOTY Network is the country partner of Global Youth Service Day (GYSD) 2014, recognized by Youth Service America.

As the official youth media partner of the Gensan Youth Network, Voice of the Youth Radio General Santos will help engage thousands of young Generals in meaningful services and activities where their voices are counted, recognizing them as important components in nation building.

Gensan Youth Network, with Voice of the Youth General Santos, will again meet the youth from different organizations on May 1, 2014, 9:00 AM onwards at the STTC Building of Mindanao State University – General Santos City. Together, they will inform, inspire, involve, and empower the Filipino Youth in Gensan!