October 29, 2025

Education, Economic Empowerment, Social Inclusion and Equity, Environment, Global Mobility, Agriculture

The 4-H name represents four personal development areas of focus for the organization: head, heart, hands, and health. The goal of 4-H is to develop citizenship, leadership, responsibility and life skills of youth through experiential learning programs and a positive youth development approach. Though typically thought of as an agriculturally focused organization as a result of its history, 4-H today focuses on citizenship, healthy living, science, engineering, and technology programs. The 4H motto is "To make the best better", while its slogan is "Learn by doing" Some years after the devolution of the Department of Agriculture to Local Government of Calapan came the organization of the club in the then Municipality of Calapan. During this time, the department has been active in recruiting young boys and girls who are children of farmers to joining the organization and therefore conducted activities that heightened their love for agriculture, their love to the only job their parents know and been exposed to. Two members were sent to Japan to attend the Young Filipino Farmers Training Program in that country. Activities like backyard gardening, home economics and elective courses were also taught to enhanced members involvement. Likewise, monthly meetings, attendance to municipal, provincial, regional and national events/contest were also actively participated. Past members who were talented and skilled were given opportunities to represent their clubs to the above-mentioned events like singing contests, poster making, quiz bee, cooking contest, handicraft making, agricultural technology demonstrations, and speech contest. Some members were also fortunate to have attended national symposia and other events. Active recruitment was further enhanced when livelihood opportunities were introduced by the Department of Agriculture - Agricultural Training Institute; the national livelihood program which is part of P500million grant to members who are loyal and active partners of the local government in the implementation and aggressive drive to promote agriculture among the youth. The now city of Calapan has been fortunate to be awarded Cattle Raising project to three 4-H Club barangays of Sapul, Palhi and Batino and Goat Raising project to barangay Personas. The club members were also recipients of different hands-on agriculture trainings like the yearly Adopt-a-farm Youth Program (a month-long training program, Batch 1 to present, 12 members), the one-month Stockman’s Training at the International Training Institute on Pig Husbandry in Lipa City (12 members), Garden in the School program (at P. Tolentino Elementary School in Barangay Putingtubig), H.I.L.I.N.G. program (a season-long gardening project) in Barangay Camansihan. The club was also recipient of the DA-ATI’s scholarship program for members who were not able to finish their primary education. Three members were also successfully selected to represent their home country to the annual Young Filipino Farmers Training program in Japan. The first batch of Filipino Young Farmers Internship Program in Taiwan has also one Calapeño to the training. Calapan City 4-H Club believes that sending its members to attend education is important; that somehow their lives will change for the better. Thus, it aggressively sent its scholarly members to the YES scholarship program, also of the DA-ATI (Batch 1 and 2). Proudly, Batch 2 YES scholars are now gainfully employed and enjoying the fruits of their labor. Two of the Batch 1 scholars were selected for the YFFTPJ and are now doing well in their present situations. At present, some members are also recipients of the scholarship program of the DA-ATI. Continuous recruitment is encouraged and activities never stopped from there. The 4-H Club engages to the young sectors of the society thus activities conducted are aligned to keeping them active and enthusiastic in being loyal to the club. Four core programs were introduced so that its members have something to always look forward to. Core program like the Livelihood and Business Program wherein Barangay Baruyan 4-H Club was awarded the P500,000.0 Gulayan sa Barangay Project under the Bayanihan II program of the Department of Agriculture. Barangay Personas 4-H Club was closely involved in the barangays Gulayan project that is also awarded by the Department of Agriculture. On the other hand Environment Protection program was also introduced wherein mangrove areas were adopted to be planted with mangrove propagules. Also under this program is the monthly Lingkod – barangay cleaning project in cooperation with barangay local governments units in the six barangays where Calapan City 4-H Club is active. Literacy program on the other hand has conducted distribution of school supplies as part of the club’s commitment to its members. Youth development program conducted sports activities enjoining all the six barangay members to meet and greet and develop their camaraderie towards each other. Christmas themed activities were also conducted that focused on the members’ ingenuity and artistry. Organization that lives for so many decades seems to be an effective organiation. One of those is the 4-H Club that s well-known not only in the Philippines but also to other countries allover the world. There are designated 4-H club within provinces down to its municipalities. Here at Calapan City, 4-H Club raised the Youth 4 Holistic Approach towards development Program with the aid and help of the club’s partners and stakeholders that promotes and encourages youth in developing