The Negrosanon Young Leaders Institute, Inc. (NYLI) and Carlos Hilado Memorial State University (CHMSU), through its College of Arts and Sciences, formalized their partnership this morning, October 23, at the CHMSU Talisay Main Campus through the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the implementation of the A.M.L.I.G. (Accelerating Missions of Young Leaders for Inclusive Growth) Program, a research-based community psychosocial support initiative for children and youth in Negros Island.
Following the MOA signing, the partners proceeded with the A.M.L.I.G. Program Launch and Module Writeshop this afternoon at the university’s Psychology Laboratory. The activity marked the start of collaborative efforts to develop program modules and strengthen the delivery of community-based mental health and psychosocial support interventions.
The partnership aims to strengthen community-based mental health and psychosocial support through the collaboration of psychology professionals, guidance counselors, volunteers, and youth leaders. It will support the delivery of center- and community-based interventions, including initiatives implemented at Hulot Sang Pamatan-on, NYLI’s safe space center for children and youth.
Under the agreement, NYLI through its Center for Health and Well-being will provide program support, coordinate volunteer deployment, and facilitate partnerships with other academic institutions. CHMSU, meanwhile, will contribute professional expertise, volunteers, and evidence-informed interventions to address the psychosocial needs of children and young people in the region.
Emphasizing the significance of the partnership beyond the signing of the agreement, Dr. Rosebelle Pineda, Officer-in-Charge Dean of CHMSU’s College of Arts and Sciences, underscored the university’s commitment to supporting young people and translating institutional collaboration into meaningful community impact.
“The document we have signed today is more than just ink on paper. It is a promise—a promise that together, we will walk beside our young leaders, open doors for them, and build a future where no one is left behind,” Pineda said.
Meanwhile, Kevin Gaitan, Executive Director of NYLI highlighted the importance of fostering supportive environments where young people can develop their leadership potential while strengthening their psychosocial well-being.
“Leadership does not develop in isolation. It grows in environments where young people feel they belong, where their voices are heard and matter, and where they are empowered to turn their ideas into meaningful action,” the representative emphasized.
The A.M.L.I.G. Program includes Project H.O.P.E., Project Abyan, and the Project C.H.A.N.G.E. module. During the writeshop, program leaders, activity heads, and NYLI volunteers worked on the initial stages of module development, covering initiation and analysis, design and blueprinting, and activity evaluation.
Through this collaboration, NYLI and CHMSU reaffirm their commitment to advancing youth development, strengthening community support systems, and promoting inclusive growth through accessible, responsive, and research-based psychosocial interventions.
The MOA will remain in effect for three years, from September 2026 to August 2029, subject to the terms of the agreement.