Bacolod City, Philippines – The Negrosanon Young Leaders Institute (NYLI) successfully held its Staff Development and Workshop 2026 on February 6, 2026, at the Hulot sang Pamatan-on (NYLI Office) in the Negros First Cyber Center, Bacolod City. This event reaffirmed NYLI’s commitment to strong governance, effective program delivery, and values-driven youth leadership.
In accordance with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Policy on Learning and Development Interventions, the workshop served as a key capacity-building initiative aimed at enhancing staff competencies and strengthening organizational performance. Learning and Development Interventions (LDIs) are recognized as essential mechanisms for equipping staff with the skills, knowledge, and tools needed to effectively fulfill their roles and contribute meaningfully to the organization’s overall mission. The workshop provided a space for reflection, learning, and renewal at both individual and institutional levels.
The training agenda started with “Community Building 101,” presented by Kevin Gaitan, the Executive Director of NYLI. This session reviewed the core principles of community building and examined NYLI’s three-lens approach to development work. The discussion helped staff members understand the shared frameworks that guide NYLI’s engagement with young people, communities, partners, and stakeholders throughout Negros.
Participants were also oriented on the new NYLI organizational structure, which aims to clarify roles, strengthen coordination, and promote shared accountability across teams. This was complemented by a session on Program Management Framework 101, facilitated by Jomar Borromeo, Programs Director, and Coleen Awit, Senior Program Manager, focusing on improving planning, implementation, and monitoring practices for NYLI’s programs and initiatives.
A vital component of the workshop involved the review and renewal of organizational commitments, including safeguarding, anti-corruption, conflict of interest, safety and security, and adherence to the NYLI Code of Conduct. Through this process, staff collectively reaffirmed the values and standards that uphold ethical, inclusive, and responsible youth development work.
“This workshop reminds us why we do what we do,” stated Kevin Gaitan. “As we strengthen ourselves as an organization, we renew our hope in young people and in communities, believing that through care, integrity, and collective action, we can bring hope to the communities we serve.”
The Staff Development and Workshop 2026 reflects NYLI’s ongoing efforts to inspire hope and nurture a generation of empowered Filipino youth who are dedicated to building inclusive and sustainable Filipino communities.