Originally Published in Newborn Screening, the Official Publication of the Newborn Screening Reference Center - NIH, UP Manila. Vol. 15(2):6. April-June 2011 Issue
The Volunteer Youth Leaders for Health-Philippines (VYLH) gathered for the First Nnational Leadership Congress with the theme “Strengthening Unity, Leadership, and Commitment to Health” on 25-27 May 2011 at the Fontana Leisure Park in Angeles City, Pampanga.
The Congress was organized to strengthen the leadership skills of volunteer youth leaders and facilitate the exchange of experiences among volunteers. Participated in by more than a hundred young volunteers from different schools and communities nationwide, the event was graced by guests from the Department of Health, Newborn Screening Reference Center, Newborn Screening Centers, and Centers for Health Development. It consisted of symposia and workshops facilitated by competent speakers and consultants from different fields: Climate Change and Health, Youth and Migration, Public Relations, Effective Leadership, Lecture on Lobbying, and Adolescent and Reproductive Health. These were followed by socialization activities, such as the variety show, cultural presentation, and cluster exhibits.
On the third day of the Congress, a new set of officers were elected. They were Ryan John Pascual, President; Frank Daniel Canlobo, VP for Luzon; Floyd Edrea, VP for Visayas; Anthony Torralba, VP for Mindanao; Mary Char Bey de Castro, Secretary; Donn Morrice Go, Treasurer; and Kathrina Dee Gurro, Auditor. – V Mendoza
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*Ms. Vina Mendoza is a Project Development Officer at the Newborn Screening Reference Center (NSCRC). The NSRC as created and mandated by RA 9288 (Newborn Screening Act of 2004) is responsible for the national testing database and case registries, training, technical assistance and continuing education for laboratory staff in all Newborn Screening Centers. NSRC also provides technical assistance to the DOH-NIH network in reaching the ultimate goal of screening Filipino newborns for common life-threatening heritable disorders. It also assists DOH in establishing Newborn Screening Centers (NSC’s) in geographically located areas. All NSCs will comprise a newborn screening laboratory and will be equipped with a follow up program that is linked with the DOH.
