A young leader from Bohol is part of the 15th delegation of the Philippine Center of Young Leaders in Government (PCYL) and the Australian Political Exchange Council (APEC) exchange program.
Board Member Aldner Damalerio of the first district is part of this year’s delegation for the cross-cultural learning and collaborative visit to Australia from March 15-21, 2024.
Damalerio joined Jennie Rosalie Uy-Mendez, mayor of Villanueva, Misamis Oriental and the head of the delegation; Agatha Paula Cruz, mayor of Guiguinto, Bulacan; Albert Alvin Antonio III, councilor of Quezon City; Kyle Jassel Salazar, councilor of General Trias City, Cavite; Rosalinda Tuvilla II, councilor of Talisay City, Negros Occidental; and Normal Cualteros, PCYL representative.
In social media posts, he detailed the group’s itinerary, which included a visit to Queensland’s ultra-modern State Disaster Coordination Centre and State Operations Centre for Fire, and a dinner with Kerrie Kahlon of the Australian Labor Party and John Krauss, Member of Parliament (MP) of the Australian Liberal National Party.
The delegation also traveled to Brisbane City Hall and Museum and observed the last day of the Queensland Council Elections.
At Australia’s Senate Session Hall and Lower House in Canberra, they interacted with Sue Lines, Australia’s Senate President, along with Sen. Don Farrell, Federal Special Minister of State and Minister for Trade and Tourism, Sen. Peter Whish-Wilson of Tasmania of the Greens Party, and Mark Coulton (MP) of the Nationals Party.
The Parliament of New South Wales in Sydney was also a stop during their visit where they met with Ben Franklin, president of the Legislative Council, and Greg Piper, Speaker of New South Wales Legislative Assembly.
They also had the opportunity for a courtesy call with Philippine Ambassador to Australia, Helenn De la Vega.
In a post, Damalerio thanked Cong. Edgar Chatto for the latter’s nomination and endorsement to the program.
According to Damalerio, Chatto, whom he described as a mentor and a golden standard in public service, showed that the real rewards in public service are crafting legislations that benefit everyone for generations to come.
He also thanked Gov. Aris Aumentado for the endorsement to the program, assuring his commitment to crafting legislations that benefit the Boholanos.
To date, Damalerio has passed ordinances on incentives for licensure examination topnotchers, affordable dialysis rates, the creation of the new Sangguniang Panlalawigan Committee on Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction, and free district hospital ambulance use.
He also authored the Anti Dangling Wire Ordinance and the Anti Prankster Ordinance, both of which are currently pending approval at the SP.
The Philippine Center of Young Leaders in Governance (PCYL) is a non-stock, non-profit organization that helps develop young political leaders to become competent and responsible leaders through various training and international exchange programs.
Since 2005, PCYL has been working with the Australian Political Exchange Council (APEC) for an exchange program where political leaders of both countries visit alternately.
The exchange program aims to give Filipino leaders a firsthand experience of the political and cultural dynamics of other countries, to enable leaders to gain a global perspective on issues, and to develop deeper friendly relations with other countries.
Last year, Balilihan Vice Mayor Esther Patrisha Veloso Chatto was part of the 14th delegation to the program.