PHILIPPINE CENTER OF YOUNG LEADERS IN GOVERNANCE (PCYL) DELEGATION TO AUSTRALIA EXCHANGE PROGRAM WITH AUSTRALIAN POLITICAL EXCHANGE COUNCIL

(APEC) March 22 28, 2014

Vice Governor Esteban Evan B. Contreras Province of Capiz Liberal Party (LP) Head of the Delegation 6 November 1969 A graduate of the Development Academy of the Philippines, Vice Governor Contreras finished his Masters in Public Management majoring in Local Governance and Development. Surprisingly, despite his love for service, he actually graduated as a Medical Technologist from the University of San Agustin Iloilo. He started his political career 10 years ago as a Senior Board Member of his Province and stayed as such for six years before getting elected as Vice governor on 2010. Aside from his political career, he has, since 1993, worked with a security agency now acting as a General Manager. For this exchange, he is curious about how Australias Local and Regional Governance work and how the nation approaches Climate Change.

Mayor Andres D. Lacson Municipality of Concepcion, Tarlac Nationalist Peoples Coalition Party (NPC) 30 November 1976 Mayor Andy, a Business Administration graduate of Angeles University Foundation started his political career almost 20 years ago as a Sangguniang Kabataan Chairman (Youth Council Chairman) of Barangay San Bartolome, Tarlac. He served as the Citys Vice mayor from 2004 to 2013 and recently just won his bid to be the Citys Mayor. Six years ago he attended the Political Exchange with the United States held in Washington D.C. and was a Youth Ambassador to China on the year 2005. He hopes to learn more about Environmental Protection as well as Inter-Governmental relations from the Australians point of view.

Vice Mayor Ruel Darvin Momo Tandag City, Surigao del Sur Liberal Party 24 January 1979 Vice Mayor Momo began his political career seven years ago, year 2007, as a Barangay Captain. He rose through the ranks by running as Councilor as soon as his first positions tenure of three years elapsed and now hes one step further after taking a shot at last years Local elections. He graduated from the University of Mindanao with Civil Engineering as his chosen trade. He continues to be active in his local Rotary club, a Club President atop his current position and hes very interested on Australias socio political and economic context but not as much as knowing more about who the Australians are!

Councilor Priscilla Marie T. Abante 6 Distric of Manila, National Capital Region Bakud Party 23 October 1979 A product of the University of Santo Tomas AB Journalism (2000) and Bachelor of Laws (2008), Atty. Abante, now 34, was an English Teacher for four years right after graduating. She also worked for the National Youth Commission during her post-graduate studies as a Commissioner at Large. Currently though, aside from her duties as a Councilor, shes an Associate at Ponce Enriles Reyes & Manalastas Offices in Makati City. Prior to her being recently elected last year, Atty. Abante has participated in various youth forums and Political Exchanges with countries such as China, Thailand and Malaysia.
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Councilor Early Tidy H. Oyas Catmon, Cebu Bakud Party 20 March 1982 Councilor Oyas, 31, started as a barangay councilor 7 years ago in his locality of Catmon, Cebu. After his first term, he ran for municipal councilor and won the bid for two elections now. He graduated as a Biologist and proceeded to take law as his post-graduate profession in Cebu City. Just last year, he finished his masters in development management and governance in the University of Makati. Apart from his political career, he remains active in the local rotary club and frequently attends seminars relating to local administration and governance. Hes interested in learning how Australia promotes local tourism and how the country views Youth Empowerment.

Councilor Mya Analene D. Rosos-Tenorio Malaybalay City, Bukidnon Nacionalista Party (NP) 27 May 1982 Now in her second term as Councilor, Attorney Mya Rosos-Tenorio graduated with a Law Degree from the University of San Carlos seven years ago while her undergraduate course was Development Journalism in the University of The Philippines Los Banos. As soon as she graduated from her postgraduate course, Councilor Mya immediately started her political career in her own Barangay Council in Malaybalay, Bukidnon after which she landed in her present occupation. Nevertheless, she still practices as a private practitioner in Rosos and Rosos Law Offices of the same locality. Shes interested in how legislation goes in Australia, specifically in policy making of basic services and gender equality.

Ms. Georgina Panol Nava Chief of Staff Office of Senator Bam Aquino Independent 6 October 1973 As the Chief of Staff of recently elected Senator Bam Aquino, Ms. Nava also worked for the office of Senator Kiko Pangilinan from 2006-2011. She works actively and closely with youth programs, being the Commissioner representing Luzon for the National Youth Commission for two years and being a Presidential Staff Officer eight years prior to that. Ms. Nava graduated from the University of Santo Tomas with AB Journalism as her major and took units of political science as well. Shes interested in how the Philippines and Australia can build better relations and what Australias political system compares to the former.