The Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. (RAFI) and the National Youth Commission (NYC) have formalized a three-year partnership aimed at strengthening youth development, participation, and leadership through collaborative programs and capacity-building initiatives.

The partnership was sealed through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing ceremony held on June 23, 2026, at the University Hotel in UP Diliman, Quezon City.

Representing RAFI during the signing was Ms. Estee Marie P. Plunket, Chief Communications and Partnerships Officer. The NYC was represented by Undersecretary Joseph Francisco Ortega, Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer, and Atty. Carl Vincent Quitoriano, Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer.

The partnership reflects the shared commitment of both organizations to empower young Filipinos and strengthen their meaningful participation in society and governance, particularly through support for various youth and youth-serving organizations.

Under the agreement, RAFI and NYC will collaborate through the exchange of knowledge, best practices, and expertise to enhance youth-focused initiatives. RAFI will provide civil society support for NYC programs and initiatives in Cebu, while NYC will extend technical assistance to RAFI, particularly in capacity development and training programs that will further strengthen youth engagement and leadership.

For RAFI, this collaboration builds its long-standing commitment to developing young leaders and creating opportunities for youth to become active contributors to community transformation.

As the organization moves toward its 60 years of service to the community, this partnership affirms RAFI’s continued efforts to invest in the next generation of leaders. Guided by the belief that empowering youth today helps nurture a future where communities are driven by engaged, capable, and purpose-driven individuals, RAFI continues to support young people in becoming leaders who are ready to create positive change.

“On behalf of RAFI, I would like to express our sincere gratitude to the National Youth Commission for its trust, collaboration, and shared dedication to youth development. At RAFI, we believe that young people are not only the leaders of tomorrow but also active changemakers of today. We look forward to translating this partnership into meaningful programs, initiatives, and outcomes that will benefit young Filipinos and the communities they serve. May this partnership serve as a testament to the power of collaboration and to the belief that when we invest in our youth, we invest in a brighter and more resilient future for our nation,” shared Ms. Plunket.

With this partnership, RAFI and NYC continue to advance efforts that place young people at the center of community development. By building pathways for leadership, participation, and collaboration, both organizations aim to help shape a future where youth are not only prepared to lead but are empowered to contribute today.