Developing the spirit of volunteerism and giving the youth the opportunity to participate in the Red Cross activity, the Camarines Sur Polytechnic Colleges - Red Cross Youth Council organized an activity offered not only to Nursing Courses but also to Non Nursing courses which was the “Youth Volunteer Orientation Course (YVOC)” last August 31, 2011 at the CSPC Library Building room 515.

The activity were participated by thirty eight participants. Involved participants were the CSPC-RCYC Officers, Committees and students coming from the different courses in the college.

The CSPC-RCYC shared knowledge through the Youth Volunteer Orientation Course (YVOC).  It was already 9:00 in the morning when the orientation started. In order to cut the boredom and the silence among the group, an Icebreaker was initiated by the speaker before entering the orientation proper.

The invited speaker, Mr. Elvis J. Lumame, a Red Cross Youth National Trainer and a graduate of CSPC trouped at the campus to orient all volunteers of the Red Cross Youth. Mr. Lumame explained that the Youth Volunteer Orientation Course (YVOC) is the first part of the Leadership Development Program (LDP).

The Components of the Leadership Development Program (LDP) are the Youth Volunteer orientation Course (YVOC), Leadership Formation Course (LFC) and Basic Leadership Training (BLT).  The speaker enumerated the different modules under the Youth Volunteer Orientation Course (YVOC) and was discussed spontaneously. Included in his discussion are the History of Red Cross and the Red Crescent Movement, the founders, Red Cross Youth Pledge and its Seven Fundamental Principles. The different departments or divisions under the Philippine Red Cross were also introduced and other related articles.  Groupings were established among the participants for the group activity facilitated by the speaker throughout the course.  The participants were also given a chance to express their ideas and thoughts regarding the orientation and most of the participants were able to share their thoughts which was a very good response according to the speaker since it signifies that the youth volunteers of the Camarines Sur Polytechnic Colleges are aware and at least the concept of the Red Cross in their minds was established.

In the latter part of the orientation, the speaker let the participants laid their concepts in Voluntary Service. The participants created drawings and representations of Voluntary Service utilizing resources present in the room and the youth volunteers were able to express the true concept of Voluntary Service and Volunteerism.

Ending at 12:00 noon, the speaker asked the volunteers if they can donate the most important thing they have. It was positively responded by the volunteers and willingly donated and placed their personal items in the circulating holder of the items. Volunteers not knowing that it was a test, and a part of the modules, still continued to give.

Participants who attended the Youth Volunteer Orientation Course (YVOC) are now a part of the Red Cross Youth and can volunteer in the different activities offered by the Red Cross Youth Council.

Camarines Sur Polytechnic Colleges- Red Cross Youth Council (CSPC-RCYC) with the collaboration of University of Saint Anthony- Red Cross Youth Council (USANT-RCYC) and University of Northern Philippines- Red Cross Youth Council (UNEP-RCYC) conducted its 1st ever International Humanitarian Law Celebration at the CSPC Freedom Park.

Thirty (30) participants from University of Saint Anthony (USANT), 19 from University of Northeastern Philippines (UNEP) and 76 from Camarines Sur Polytechnic Colleges (CSPC) gathered at the CSPC Freedom Park to celebrate the said event.  Atty. Carlos Villanueva Jr., the invited speaker, shared his knowledge and expertise on International Humanitarian Law.

Hearing the concepts laid about International Humanitarian Law (IHL) by Atty. Villanueva. The International Humanitarian Law Celebration held at CSPC aimed at presenting to the public the ultimate Humanitarian reason to limit the effects of armed conflict. It protects persons who are not or are no longer participating in the hostilities and restricts the means and methods of warfare. The law applies only once a conflict has begun, and then equally to all sides regardless of who started the fighting. With the Red Cross and the Red Crescent Movement, IHL Office is mainly responsible also for the promotion of the seven fundamental principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality), the basics of IHL, and the advocacy of domestic legislation and measures to implement provisions of the Geneva Conventions. Sadly, there are countless examples of violation of international humanitarian law. Increasingly, the victims of war are civilians and the Red Cross with IHL is preventing civilians to be included in the raging wars. However, there are important cases where international humanitarian law has made a difference in protecting civilians, prisoners, the sick and the wounded, and in restricting the use of barbaric weapons. Basically, this body of law applies during times of extreme violence.  And Implementation of the law will always be a matter of great difficulty.

The speaker ended his informative talk by throwing up questions to the audience. Assessing also what they have learned on IHL, the masters of ceremony raised questions derived from the discussion of the speaker which was successfully answered by the audience coming from the different College Red Cross Youth Councils (CRCY).

Games were facilitated smoothly afterwards and in the later part of the event, the International Humanitarian Law (IHL) human formation was presented to the public each one handling a small-size candle lit.