Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
REGION IV-A CALABARZON
SCHOOLS DIVISION OFFICE OF STO. TOMAS CITY
Youth Leadership Excellence Awards (YLEA) Impact Report
Program Overview
The Youth Leadership Excellence Awards (YLEA), initiated in 2017, is an annual flagship
program spearheaded by the Junior Chamber International (JCI) Sto. Tomas Batangan. This
program, conducted in partnership with the Schools Division Office (SDO) of Sto. Tomas,
aims to identify, recognize, and empower students who demonstrate potential in leadership
and a commitment to service. The program has become a transformative platform for
nurturing young leaders across various high schools in Sto. Tomas, including San Jose
National High School, San Pedro National High School, Sta. Anastacia-San Rafael National
High School, Sta. Clara Integrated National High School, Sto. Tomas Senior High School, St.
Thomas Academy, Greenville Academy, Almond Academy, and Maranatha Academy.
Impact on the School Community
1. Fostering the Spirit of Service
YLEA has instilled the true essence of service among students by celebrating
individuals who display selflessness and a genuine drive to contribute positively to
their communities. By honoring students who exhibit these traits, YLEA has
motivated the larger student body to prioritize community welfare, volunteerism, and
empathy. Recipients of YLEA often become role models, inspiring their peers to take
on similar responsibilities in community service initiatives and to find value in
serving others.
2. Leadership Development and Empowerment
Through YLEA, student leaders gain a formal platform to showcase and develop their
leadership capabilities. This recognition has elevated their confidence and has served
as a stepping stone for further involvement in school governance, club leadership
roles, and community projects. By placing the spotlight on exemplary student leaders,
YLEA has underscored the importance of responsible leadership, encouraging
students to pursue leadership paths that emphasize integrity, accountability, and
proactive change.
3. Enhanced Academic and Extracurricular Participation
The program has spurred a positive impact on both academic and extracurricular
engagement. Award recipients often expand their involvement in school
organizations, leading activities that cultivate teamwork, resilience, and initiative
among their fellow students. These attributes have contributed to a more dynamic
school environment, where students are increasingly willing to participate in student
council elections, clubs, and academic competitions. As a result, the program has
fostered an all-around development culture, pushing students to excel both in the
classroom and beyond.
Poblacion IV, Sto. Tomas City, Batangas
🕿 (043) 702-8674
🖂
[email protected] Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
REGION IV-A CALABARZON
SCHOOLS DIVISION OFFICE OF STO. TOMAS CITY
4. Creation of a Supportive Community of Future Leaders
YLEA has helped create a tight-knit network of young leaders from various schools
within SDO Sto. Tomas, enabling a cross-pollination of ideas and initiatives. This
community of leaders shares experiences and best practices, collectively striving to
make a positive impact on the city. Alumni of the program have continued their
service journeys beyond high school, enrolling in higher education leadership
programs and participating in community development initiatives. This network
fosters a supportive environment, where students collaborate, mentor one another, and
work toward shared goals.
5. Alignment with JCI's Mission of “Empowering Young People to Create Positive
Change”
The YLEA program embodies JCI’s core mission of empowering youth to create
positive change. It has successfully aligned with the values of JCI by cultivating a
pipeline of youth leaders committed to making a difference. The values promoted
through YLEA—namely, social responsibility, active citizenship, and the pursuit of
impactful change—are essential qualities that JCI envisions for all young individuals.
Consequently, YLEA has strengthened JCI Sto. Tomas Batangan’s brand and has
increased the organization’s credibility and reach within the school community.
Quantitative Impact
Annual Participation Growth: Since 2017, YLEA has grown in reach, with an
increasing number of students participating in the nomination process each year. The
program has recognized over 200 students across various schools, creating a strong
network of empowered youth leaders.
Program Alumni in Leadership Roles: Over 70% of YLEA awardees have gone on
to assume leadership roles within their schools, and many have continued this
trajectory in their post-secondary educational and community activities.
Program Challenges and Opportunities for Growth
While YLEA has achieved significant milestones, there are opportunities for enhancement:
1. Expanding Mentorship Programs
A formal mentorship program could be introduced to connect YLEA alumni with
current awardees, providing a sustainable support system for new leaders. This would
strengthen the continuity of leadership development, with alumni offering guidance
and insights based on their experiences.
2. Increased Community Service Projects
By integrating service projects as part of the YLEA process, student leaders can
directly engage with the community, applying their leadership skills in practical and
Poblacion IV, Sto. Tomas City, Batangas
🕿 (043) 702-8674
🖂
[email protected] Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
REGION IV-A CALABARZON
SCHOOLS DIVISION OFFICE OF STO. TOMAS CITY
impactful ways. This would reinforce the program’s focus on community-driven
initiatives, further embedding the principles of service and active citizenship.
3. Enhanced Collaboration with Educational Institutions
Strengthening partnerships with schools will ensure greater visibility for YLEA and
its mission, allowing more students to understand and aspire to the values it promotes.
Schools could integrate YLEA’s values into their extracurricular offerings, potentially
creating leadership modules that complement the program’s objectives.
Conclusion
The Youth Leadership Excellence Awards has been instrumental in shaping a new generation
of leaders within the SDO Sto. Tomas school community. By fostering a culture of service
and leadership, YLEA has empowered students to take on greater responsibility, inspiring
them to serve as catalysts for positive change. Moving forward, YLEA’s potential for growth
lies in deeper community involvement, mentorship, and strategic partnerships that will
continue to elevate the spirit of youth leadership across Sto. Tomas.
Prepared by:
YSRAEL P. LAGNITON
YLEA-Chairman
Poblacion IV, Sto. Tomas City, Batangas
🕿 (043) 702-8674
🖂
[email protected] Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
REGION IV-A CALABARZON
SCHOOLS DIVISION OFFICE OF STO. TOMAS CITY
Impact Report
Program Title: Barking for a Safer Future
Partnership Organizations: ManDog Association "Aso Amo Para sa Bayan," Schools
Division Office of Sto. Tomas (SDO-Sto. Tomas)
Participants: Selected High School Students from Sto. Tomas, Batangas
Introduction
The ongoing program, Barking for a Safer Future, spearheaded by ManDog Association
"Aso Amo Para sa Bayan" in collaboration with SDO-Sto. Tomas, has successfully
empowered high school students to develop vital search-and-rescue (SAR) and basic life
support (BLS) skills. This initiative brings together local youth with professional dog
handlers and trainers to ensure readiness in emergency situations, building a strong
community safety network that will serve Sto. Tomas in times of need.
Program Objectives
1. Equip Youth with Essential SAR and BLS Skills: To provide students with
knowledge and hands-on experience in critical rescue operations and first-response
life-saving techniques.
2. Develop Community Assets for Future Calamities: Train young, dedicated
volunteers who can serve as future community assets due to their advanced
preparedness for emergency situations.
3. Promote Responsible Pet-Owner Partnership for Community Safety: Highlight
the role of well-trained dogs and owners in search-and-rescue, instilling values of
responsibility and teamwork among participants.
Program Highlights and Key Activities
Search and Rescue (SAR) Training: Students learned practical SAR techniques
alongside trained dogs, developing skills in locating individuals and understanding
how canines contribute to rescue missions.
Basic Life Support (BLS) Training: Through certified instructors, participants
gained essential knowledge in CPR, wound care, and other first-response methods,
preparing them for real-life emergency situations.
Community Awareness Workshops: ManDog Association conducted workshops
with students and parents to emphasize the importance of readiness, pet-owner
responsibility, and the critical role of volunteers during natural disasters.
Simulation Exercises: High school students participated in simulated search-and-
rescue scenarios to apply their skills in controlled, real-life conditions. These
Poblacion IV, Sto. Tomas City, Batangas
🕿 (043) 702-8674
🖂
[email protected] Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
REGION IV-A CALABARZON
SCHOOLS DIVISION OFFICE OF STO. TOMAS CITY
exercises tested their agility, responsiveness, and ability to coordinate effectively with
canine partners.
Impact on Students and the Community
1. Enhanced Emergency Preparedness: Participating students now possess critical
skills to act as first responders during emergencies, strengthening the local capacity
for disaster management and immediate response.
2. Youth Empowerment and Responsibility: The program has empowered young
individuals with a sense of duty toward their community, instilling values of
volunteerism and selflessness.
3. Community Resilience Building: By creating a network of trained student
volunteers, Sto. Tomas has taken proactive steps toward becoming a more resilient
community capable of rapid, coordinated response during calamities.
4. Strong Community Partnership: This program reinforces the bond between
ManDog Association and SDO-Sto. Tomas, with shared goals of safety and
preparedness.
Testimonials
Student Participant: “Learning these skills has made me feel more prepared to help
others in a crisis. Working with the dogs was amazing—they’re such valuable
partners in rescue work.”
Parent of a Participant: “This program has not only taught my child important skills
but also brought us peace of mind, knowing our community is taking these proactive
steps for safety.”
ManDog Trainer: “The enthusiasm and commitment of these students are inspiring.
They’ve shown dedication in learning alongside our dogs, which truly strengthens the
community’s readiness.”
Sustainability Measures
To ensure the continuity of Barkig for a Safer Future, ManDog Association and SDO-Sto.
Tomas plan to:
Establish Yearly Training Sessions: Annual training for new student participants
will expand the volunteer network, continuously refreshing and enhancing skills.
Monitor Volunteer Progress: Through follow-up assessments, both organizations
will track the progress of student volunteers and offer advanced training as needed.
Integrate SAR and BLS Training into School Programs: By incorporating these
skills into high school extracurricular activities, future generations will benefit from
consistent and structured learning in disaster preparedness.
Poblacion IV, Sto. Tomas City, Batangas
🕿 (043) 702-8674
🖂
[email protected] Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
REGION IV-A CALABARZON
SCHOOLS DIVISION OFFICE OF STO. TOMAS CITY
Conclusion
Barking for a Safer Future stands as a successful model of community collaboration,
education, and empowerment. This impactful partnership not only upgrades the skills of high
school students in Sto. Tomas but also fortifies the area’s ability to respond effectively to
emergencies. These young volunteers, with their dedication to readiness and safety, are
expected to become invaluable assets to the community, creating a safer future for all.
The program's growth and sustainability efforts ensure that Sto. Tomas is on a path toward a
well-prepared, resilient community where every member, including young volunteers, plays a
vital role in safeguarding each other during times of need.
Prepared by:
YSRAEL P. LAGNITON
Project Proponent
Poblacion IV, Sto. Tomas City, Batangas
🕿 (043) 702-8674
🖂
[email protected] Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
REGION IV-A CALABARZON
SCHOOLS DIVISION OFFICE OF STO. TOMAS CITY
Poblacion IV, Sto. Tomas City, Batangas
🕿 (043) 702-8674
🖂
[email protected]