𝟕 𝐃𝐚𝐯𝐚𝐨 𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐞𝐬 𝐩𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐫 𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐩𝐞𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐧𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐢𝐧 𝟏𝐬𝐭 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐀𝐬𝐬

Aligning organizational goals, peer facilitator unions from seven pioneering college institutions in Davao City, headed by San Pedro College – Peer Facilitators Group (SPC-PFG), convened and launched their first joint organization, the Davao Peer Facilitators Network (DPFN), during its first general assembly held at SPC Main Campus, Jan. 18.

With SPC, peer facilitator groups representing Assumption College of Davao (ACD), Ateneo de Davao University (AdDU), Davao Doctors College, Inc. (DDCI), Mapua Malayan Colleges of Mindanao (MMCM), Holy Cross of Davao College (HCDC), and the University of Mindanao (UM) were present during the activity.

Moderator of the joint organization, Ranel Padayon from ACD, highlighted in his opening remarks the network’s “collective call for advanced mental health awareness, accessibility, and empathy within [their] communities.”

“As peer facilitators we recognize the powerful truth that we are wounded healers. We, too, have our own struggles … and it is precisely from this experience that our strength, authenticity, and compassion are formed,” said the moderator.

Meanwhile, network Chairperson and SPC-PFG President Kirby Patrick Alagdon laid out the organization’s tactical plan for the year, seeking to hold campaigns for HIV awareness and against substance abuse, as well as foster collaboration through benchmarking of practices concerning mental health affairs and student well-being among affiliate organizations.

In an interview, Alagdon iterated the purpose and goals of the joint network, noting that “the initiative was born out of a spontaneous idea resulting from a prior fruitful collaboration” between SPC-PFG and similar organizations from neighboring schools.

“The purpose [of this organization] is to really give the peer organizations a platform to collaborate and to benchmark projects that could be beneficial to their respective academic constitutions,” said the chairperson.

He also said that the DPFN is “in the process” of expanding its network by reaching out to other private institutions in Davao City and even towards local State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) should the organization gain its national recognition from the National Youth Commission (NYC).

Various team-building activities, such as breakout sessions and an Amazing Race, took place during the general assembly, boosting camaraderie and fellowship among peers.

Peer facilitators are trained students who provide emotional support, guidance, and basic help to fellow students, often working as an organization within an academic institution and in close contact with the Guidance Office to promote mental wellness.

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