The people who influence young lives are often those closest to them. In cities and municipalities, Local Youth Development Officers (LYDOs) help shape programs, create safe spaces, and open conversations that encourage young people to make informed and responsible choices. Supporting them with the right knowledge and tools strengthens not only their work, but also the communities they serve.
Headed by Chairperson – Secretary Oscar Valenzuela, the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) in partnership with the Provincial Government of Cebu, conducted the Training of Trainers on Life Skills Enhancement in Drug Abuse Prevention Education in Cebu City as part of the national observance of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking (IDADAIT) 2026. The three-day learning engagement brought together Local Youth Development Officers from across Cebu alongside representatives from partner agencies working in youth development and drug abuse prevention
Facilitated by the DDB’s Preventive Education, Training and Information Division (PETID) , the sessions combined interactive workshops, experiential learning activities, simulations, and group discussions that strengthened participants’ facilitation skills while introducing practical approaches to integrating life skills into drug abuse prevention education. Throughout the program, participants explored learner-centered methods that foster communication, critical thinking, emotional regulation, problem-solving, decision-making, resilience, and other competencies that help young people navigate everyday challenges. Participants likewise exchanged experiences from their respective localities, enriching discussions on how life skills education can be adapted to different community settings while reinforcing the collaborative approach that underpins community-based drug abuse prevention.
As participants return to their respective cities and municipalities, they bring with them approaches that can be translated into local youth programs, community initiatives, and learning engagements. In doing so, life skills-based drug abuse prevention education finds its way into the communities where young people learn, grow, and make the decisions that shape their future.
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