YAFA Eastern Visayas Chapter

YAFA EASTERN VISAYAS CHAPTER

University of the Philippines - Visayas, Tacloban City
Focal Point: LEO CHRISTIAN VILLACORTES LAUZON

YAFA Eastern Visayas

YAFA Eastern Visayas was the first chapter to be established outside Greater Manila
Area as a result of a consensus from young people of Eastern Visayas to establish a chapter in
the region as an answer to the goal of stopping HIV and AIDS. The chapter was formally
established as the product of the Youth Assembly on HIV and AIDS that was held on August
16, 2009 at the University of the Philippines Visayas Tacloban College 3rd Floor New Library at
Tacloban city, Philippines. The purpose of the assembly was to allow the youth sector of the
community to learn about HIV-AIDS and to come up with a group of young people who will
advocate for HIV & AIDS issues and do awareness campaign in Tacloban and eventually in the
whole Eastern Visayas Region. On the same date, the launching of YAFA Eastern Visayas
Chapter was done.

The chapter’s main advocacy include the campaign for the establishment of local AIDS
councils (LACs) in the different local government units (LGUs) in Eastern Visayas, peer
education, and activities that are aimed to reduces HIV and AIDS stigma and discrimination.
Currently, Tacloban City and the Provincial Government of Leyte have no AIDS Councils. YAFA
members have engaged in signature campaign and information drive to gather support for the
creation of City AIDS Council of Tacloban. YAFA has been active in lobbying among lawmakers
in the different LGUs, especially enlisting the support of the Sangguniang Kabataan Federation
President. The organization is also conducting local youth meetings and dialogues among
youth leaders of different youth-led organizations and securing their support for the cause.
Currently, YAFA Eastern Visayas is securing its official recognition from the college
administration thru the Office of Student Affairs as one of the leading student organization at
University of the Philippines Visayas Tacloban College (UPVTC) for the coming School Year
2010-2011. Prof. Querima Deborah Q. Jopson, Gender and Development Coordinator of UPVTC provided a headquarter for YAFA Eastern Visayas while Prof. Hernanita L. Peliño, Chairperson of the Division of Social Sciences of UPVTC and an eco-feminist serves as organization’s adviser.

Region VIII - Eastern Visayas:
Provinces of LEYTE, SOUTHERN LEYTE,
SAMAR, NORTHERN SAMAR,
EASTERN SAMAR & BILIRAN

Find more photos like this on Youth AIDS Filipinas Alliance (YAFA)