Organizational Profile
The Filipino youth, ages 15 to 30, comprise more than 30% of the country’s population. Being the country’s future leaders and parents, the youth sector is a viable and dynamic target population for a health advocacy on the prevention of birth defects and preterm births.
In 2009, Volunteer Youth Leaders for Health – Philippines (VYLH-Philippines) was formally organized through the collaborative effort of the Institute of Human Genetics of the National Institutes of Health-University of the Philippines Manila, the Department of Health (Republic of the Philippines) and The UPLB Genetics Society, a student organization of the University of the Philippines Los Baños.
VYLH-Philippines is a network of proactive, service-oriented, empowering and visionary leaders equipped with knowledge and skills in mobilizing the youth for health. It is composed of youth leaders from different community- and university-based youth organizations throughout the Philippines. The formation of VYLH-Philippines is part of an international effort to establish the March of Dimes – Global Network for Maternal and Infant Health (MOD-GNMIH) participated by youth counterparts in China and Lebanon linked by the common interest of volunteerism and public service to improve birth outcomes worldwide through advocacy.
Taking value to the important role of the Filipino youth in nation building, the VYLH-Philippines will continue to mold, equip, and engage youth leaders in the hope of promoting a healthier nation.
The VYLH-Philippines Emblem
- The seeds (innermost portion) represent the role of the youth in health advocacy and promotion, and the significance of empowering the youth towards a healthy nation.
- The eight (8) human figures represent the four (4) clusters: NCR, Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao; and the four (4) pioneer collaborating institutions:
- Department of Health;
- Institute of Human Genetics, National Institutes of Health - UP Manila;
- Newborn Screening Reference Center (NSRC); and
- The UPLB Genetics Society, a student organization
- The act of holding each other signifies the collective and continuous effort of the network and its partners towards achieving the goals and objectives of the network.
- The bodies radiating from the center shows that the organization is rooted to its role to society and its principles.
- The four colors namely yellow, orange, yellow orange, and red orange represent the four principles embodying VYLH-Philippines namely leadership, commitment, advocacy and volunteerism.
- The choice of these colors also signify the burning spirit of volunteerism and the radiating energy of the youth.
The VYLH-Philippines emblem was designed by Mr. Zando Escultura.