Bontoc, Mtn. Province – Aside from the known Sangguniang Kabataan system comes another layer of governance for the youth sector.
Republic Act 10742, otherwise known as the Sangguniang Kabataan Reform Act of 2015 gives the youth impetus as the state recognizes the vital role of the youth in nation-building. It promotes and protects their physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual, and social well-being as it inculcates in them patriotism, nationalism, and desirable values, and encourages their involvement in public and civic affairs.
It provides for enabling and support mechanisms that empower the youth to ensure their participation in local governance.
In the province, Executive Order No. 21, Series 2018 entitled “An Order Creating the Provincial Youth Development Council of Mountain Province and For Other Purposes and Providing Funds Thereof” provides that mechanism.
Another Executive Order No. 16, series 2018 lodges the responsibility of overseeing the youth council to the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office under the Local Youth Development Office which is headed by Ms. Aileen Kate Fateg.
Under the law, the Provincial Youth Development Council (PYDC) is chaired by the SK Provincial Federation President and at the municipal level is chaired by the Municipal SK Federation President which shall have advocacies on health, education, employment, environment, governance, social concerns, and peace and order.
Various programs and activities such as skills trainings, livelihood opportunities, environmental concerns and healthy lifestyles, among others, are offered to the youth. To eradicate or minimize junk foods and momma spitting are among the concerns indicated under the LYDC Plan.
Membership in these councils is composed of eight to nineteen (8-19) youth organizations and youth serving organizations duly registered and accredited at the PSWD/Local Youth Development Office.
Even the out-of-school youth are encouraged to organize and be members of the councils whether in the province or municipal level.
Youth, as referred to in RA 10742, are those from 15-30 years old. However, those in youth supporting organization may have higher age brackets.
Youth -serving organizations are referred as those registered organizations whose principal programs, projects and activities are youth-oriented and youth-related, and whose composition are not limited to the youth.
Funding for the councils’ programs, projects, and activities shall be provided by the province and the municipalities.
Governor Bonifacio Lacwasan has provided in the 2019 budget the amount of P2 million pesos to finance the Local Development Plan programs and activities. However, it was learned from Aileen Kate Fateg that some P100 thousand is earmarked for activities under the 2018 budget since the call for the establishment of her office was only recently.
Ms. Fateg is inviting youth groups and youth supportive groups to register in the municipal and provincial level for them to avail of the benefits and privileges accorded to members.
The focal person shall verify the registration provided by registrant organizations. The registration is good for three years and renewable every three years.
She also informed that Linggo ng Kabataan activities will be held on August 29-30, 2018 in the province.
“We call on the youth to be involved in the programs and activities of the LDYC or the LYDO to enhance their participation in nation building”, she said.**Roger Sacyaten
