VALENCIA CITY, Bukidnon — The Department of the Interior and Local Government’s (DILG) flagship town hall series, Dagyaw 2025, will center on preventing youth involvement in crime, with over 500 participants expected on Sept. 18 at Robinsons Place Valencia

DILG Bukidnon Director Rhona Pedraza-Abadilla said Dagyaw, now in its seventh year, seeks to build public trust by creating a space for dialogue between citizens and government.

“Through Dagyaw, we are not only opening the doors of government to the people but also breaking barriers that prevent meaningful dialogue. This year, we want to highlight the role of every sector in keeping our youth away from crime and violence while guiding them toward a future of prosperity and opportunity,” she said.

Organized by DILG Bukidnon with partner agencies, the event is themed “Breaking the Cycle: Preventing Youth Involvement in Crime and Violence.”

The program will include two sessions focused on youth crime prevention, with attendees from the youth sector, law enforcement, justice agencies, academic institutions, local government units, civil society organizations, national government offices, and media.

In a coordination meeting held online on Sept. 4 with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), Abadilla emphasized Dagyaw’s role in fostering community engagement and addressing concerns surrounding youth involvement in unlawful activities.

Aside from the forum, Dagyaw 2025 will feature a Photo Story Contest and a Facebook Reels Contest to encourage public participation. Submissions are open until Sept. 12 at 5 p.m. via tinyurl.com/DagyawPhotoStory and tinyurl.com/DAGYAWReels.

Shortlisted entries will be posted on the DILG Bukidnon Facebook page by Sept. 14 for public voting. Winners will be announced during the event. Prizes for the Photo Story Contest are P5,000, P3,000, and P2,000. For the Facebook Reels Contest, winners will receive P6,000, P5,000, and P4,000.

Abadilla added that Dagyaw, a Hiligaynon word meaning “togetherness,” serves as a platform for dialogue, feedback, and collaboration between citizens and government agencies. (Bernadith G. Epan/PIA-10/Bukidnon)