The “Young Professionals’  Colloquium on Nation-Building” attended by 21 young professionals from Lugait, Manticao, Naawan municipalities of Misamis Oriental and from Iligan City was successfully concluded last November 26, 2010 at Holcim Training Center, Lugait, Misamis Oriental. The newly-concluded forum is one of the activities of the Centrist Democratic Movement (CDM) in Northern Mindanao (Lambigit) in promoting the value of human dignity and principles of subsidiarity and social market economy.


The Regional Chairman of the CDM Northern Mindanao (Lambigit), and the newly elected National Chairman of the CDM National Federation National Council, Mr. Roderico Y. Dumaug, Jr., made a welcome remark to the participants, the CDM Lambigit members and the guests. He emphasized in his opening statement the famous quote from Dr. Jose Rizal, saying, "It is a useless life that is not consecrated to a great ideal. It is like a stone wasted on the field without becoming a part of any edifice.” as his way in stressing the need for young professionals’ role in nation-building.



Prof. Edmund S. Tayao, the Executive Director of Local Government Development Federation (LOGODEF) and a professor of the University of Sto. Tomas, discussed the topic on “Decentralization, Democracy and Development” emphasizing therein the necessity of highly decentralized governance and finally urging the young professionals present to walk the talk and become active members of the society as nation-builders.


One of the conveners of the Centrist Democratic Movement (CDM) National Federation, Mr. Lito Monico C. Lorenzana, delivered a speech on “Democratic Deficits in the Philippines: The Need for  Subsidiarity and Political Reforms”. He emphasized the need for political reforms utilizing the principles of subsidiarity and at the same time to look at the lessons from the failures of the past generation in institutionalizing reforms which he believes can be initiated by the successor generation. In addition, he urged the young professionals present in the forum to engage each other in a political dialogue and make use of current trend of technological advancement to increase the level of awareness among Filipino constituents on social and political issues.



Dr. Peter Koeppinger, Country Representative of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung, discussed about his topic on “Social Market Economy & The Rule of Law Towards a Strong Republic” shared a personal note from his point of view as a foreigner few observations about the way democracy works in the Philippines and how his country successfully used social market economy in bringing about a strong republic living out the true essence of democracy. The lack of a system, he noted, is the one that prevents genuine representation and exacting accountability from local and national leaders as it is likewise the indicators of failures of the democratic system. He stressed the need to establish concrete political parties to operate as mechanism that would aggregate the interests of the people and find representative to articulate and communicate it to the government. Additionally, he noted that German model of political parties may be appreciated as a model to be studied, but Dr. Koeppinger believed that the Philippines must develop its own system that best suits to its culture.

After a working lunch,Ms. Lorelyn T. Dumaug, Regional Secretary of the Centrist Democratic Movement in Northern Mindanao (Lambigit), presented the standard format of the CDM Basic Orientation. Thereafter, an ensuing exchange of minds and ideas among the participants were done upon the facilitation of the Regional Treasurer, Mr. Jordan Jay C. Antolin. Mr. Lito Monico C. Lorenzana, exhort everyone present to take an active role as part of young leaders of this country becoming part of the successor generation. Mohamad Ali E. Ramber, the coordinator for CDM Zamboanga formally closed the program by thanking everyone present with the encouragement to join the CDM it being a venue for propagating change employing the core value of human dignity. The event was made alive and engaging upon the hosting of CDM Lambigit new member, Ms. Precious Derro.

The said activity is made possible through the diligent effort and conceptualization of the CDM Lambigit active member, Bruce A. Colao, the incumbent Municipal Administrator of Lugait, Misamis Oriental.


After the event, the CDM Northern Mindanao (Lambigit) Regional Assembly has added eleven (11) members to its growing membership making the members at sixty-seven (67) now.

A Regional Strategic Planning was immediately talked about by the CDM Regional Council Officers and few active selected members headed by the Regional Chairman, Roderico Y. Dumaug, Jr. during the 7th Core Group Meeting on same day held at Mallberry Suites, Cagayan de Oro City, late at night. An expansion through a conduct of series of Basic Orientation Seminar (BOS) in Northern Mindanao at Bukidnon, Camiguin, Lanao del Norte, Agusan Provinces and Misamis Occidental are among the top area of concern along side helping the Zamboanga Peninsula’s plan of establishing their own Regional Assembly.(Lorelyn T. Dumaug, Regional Secretary)

PHOTOS DURING THE EVENT

Fr. Illah Agbene, CSSP,a Nigerian priest assigned in Iligan City at the Catholic Center Campus Ministry, one of the participants met with the CDM Conveners, Mr. Lito Monico C. Lorenza and Dr. Peter Koeppinger.

Marjorie D. Balanay, a public school teacher introduced herself.


Gil Etulle, a public school teacher and a graduate of Bachelor of Laws expressed his opinion.

(Note: More photos and caption will soon be uploaded.)