Sulong Kabataan, Para sa Bayan

“Great leaders don't set out to be a leader.. they set out to make a difference: It's never about the role, it’s always about the goal.” ~ Unknown.

The Public Service of the Philippines has always been full of bad assumptions and negative accusations, but for the Brgy. Katangawan SK Alfredo Santander III, “if you give your whole heart to this kind of work, you will be able to make a change. You can divert the perspective of the citizens through your good intention and willingness to help and serve the people”.

 During an interview on the “Bilib Kami Sa'yo”  segment of Voice of the Youth Network (VOTY) last April 24, 2021, SK Thirdy inspired the youth and opened up about his mission to utilize his position as the SK chairperson. Despite being one of the smallest barangays in General Santos City, SK Thirdy was awarded as the Outstanding SK on health in 2019 from the National Youth Communications (NYC). It became possible because of his dedication and engagement to community work,  especially when it comes to promoting the importance of health in society.

Aside from standing as a youth leader, Thirdy is a registered nurse and a graduate student from the University of the Philippines (UP) Manila School of Health Allied and Sciences.  He is also a community health worker and a midwife. It is truly visible indeed that he values serving other people because other than his many titles and responsibilities, he still manages to be a Telemedicine nurse at the 'FPOP your hotline Philippines' where they offer free online check-ups for patients around the country.

Sangguniang Kabataan is meant to only represent the youth in a specific community, but SK Thirdy had a vision and gave his best shot in extending his projects around Region XII. That is  why Thirdy and his team now have partnerships with other barangay officials that each  focus on the most important needs of the community such as  the following projects:

●Oplan HIV 101- Health project envision to eradicate the spread of HIV and AIDS

●Project KaBaIsk (Kapit Bahay Iskwelahan)- provide E- learning services for out of school youth.

●Adopt a Community- aims to develop the community status in the aspect of farming and gardening.

●Project Bahaghari- Extend their appreciation to the LGBTQI+community and to stop the discrimination to receive equal rights.

"Kahit bata tayo, Kaya Natin." Santander said.

 The past year has been challenging because of the COVID-19 outbreak, but SK Thirdy had unstoppable motivation and extended his helping hands to help the community in any way that he could such as contact tracing and doing volunteer work to support Brgy. Katangawan. And according to him, "Ipagpatuloy natin ang nais nating gawin, As long as gusto natin 'yan makukuha at matatapos natin 'yan. Makilahok at Patuloy na Makibahagi.”