POYMS for you!

Once in a lifetime experiential learning

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There were times that I asked myself, why am I doing this?
Why on earth should I spend my personal money for this? Why should I spend my effort for this?
Why should I invest my talent/skills for such thing? Why?.. Why?.. Why? A lot of WHY’s that I know nobody could answer but me.

I just do not understand why I kept on doing things for other people while I should have concentrated on myself or my family.
I joined Philex and Outlying Youth Movers Society (POYMS) for reasons I really did not understand the first day I committed myself to such organization.

We started this organization way back July 31, 2012. It was the Community Relations Department, headed by Mr. Feliciano N. Diso, Jr., of Philex Mining Corporation who collaborated to consort youth as the company’s partner in campaigning transformation in the host and neighbouring communities. One of their goals also is that this youth organization will be their partner in planning and campaigning responsible mining, not only in Benguet but Nationwide. And that it shall be known that such youth were congregated because of the collaboration of the ComRel Staff of Philex Mining Corporation.

POYMS started with less than fifty members, mostly are the company’s academic scholar and some are beneficiaries of the company’s programs.

We did the annual planning, missions and visions, and objectives when we had our first meeting at El Cielito Inn. Everybody were very passionate and looking forward in implementing the activities that are being planned.

BUT......

a day after the creation of POYMS, the Tailings Pond 3 of Philex Mines spilled!!

and that means our plans are on hold. 

Kaput!

So, all of us went our own separate ways..
We did what we thought are the best for ourselves - concentrated on our academics, some had their jobs and some went on doing social works with another organizations.

Then, August 2013 came……….

The president, Ms. Daisy Gabol, called for a meeting.

Ms. Gabol presented the initial program of POYMS which was fortunately allowed by the company for the year 2013. The enthusiasm and desire of the youth were ignited as PHILEX once again opened the door for us to be their partner in working with the host and neighboring communities where the company is operating.

On October 2013, we had our first activity which is the Youth Development Camp at Barangay Dalupirip, Municipality of Itogon which was participated by the Company academic scholars and some Out-of-School youths from the host and neighboring barangays of Philex.

Second activity is the “Christmas Celebration with Philex” in host and neighboring communities last December 2013.

We also facilitated the Educators Summit at Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya which was participated by the teachers, head teachers and supervisor of Dep-Ed Tuba District.

Then we had the “Values Formation” at Saguitlang E/S, Lubas E/S, Sioco Carino E/S, Piminggan E/S, Evilio Javier Memorial National High School – Piminggan Annex, Ligay E/S, Torre E/S and Camp 3 E/S last February 2014.

We helped in the facilitation of the Educators’ Plenary at Bani, Pangasinan last February 2014.

Then we had organized and facilitated the “Talentadong Etniko” at the Sports Center in Philex Mines, Padcal, Camp 3, Tuba during the Sto. Nino Parish Fiesta 2014.

We also organized and facilitated the “Mt. Pigingan Friendship and Expository Climb” held last March 7-9, 2014 at Mt. Pigingan, Dalupirip, Itogon.

And during the 69^th Barangay Dalupirp Foundation, we had organized and facilitated the “Dalupirip Fashion Forward – Avant Garde Concept” and “Mt. Pigingan Photo Exhibit and Photo Contest” at Dalupirip Proper, Itogon.

We were also given the chance to facilitate the “Educators’ Congress” in Sta. Maria, Ilocos Sur last April 12-16, 2014 which was participated by the educators from Tuba District and Itogon District II.

In that span of six months that the company had sponsored some of our activities and to be one of their partners in implementing activities for the youth, I believe that we made a difference. I believe that the trust the company had given to POYMS were not wasted because I myself can say that something in me has changed through the activities that we organized and facilitated. And also, my behavioral aspects has changed because of my immersion to the diverse cultural activities in the host and neighboring barangays of Philex.

I never thought of exhausting myself without compensation just to be of service in one of largest companies in Asia, particularly in the Philippines, but having been immersing with the communities for how many months made me realized my worth as a person, that I can give service to others without being compensated and I believe that I can make a difference, and our campaign for youth development as well.

I am not one of the company’s academic scholars but I am one of the beneficiaries of the company’s programs under its Social Development and Management Program.

As one of the company’s social scholars, I really wanted to give back the favor which has a vast contribution in my professional and personal growth.

I should not have experienced those things without the trust of the company to the group.

Long live POYMS! Long live PHILEX!

By: Amee Dapz