TABUK CITY, Kalinga – This city pilots the establishment of youth centers in the country with the granting of authority for the city mayor to enter into a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the National Youth Commission (NYC) to put up a Youth Hub here.
Through a motion by Association of Barangay Councils (ABC) President Henry Tubban, Jr. the members of the city council authorized the utilization of the ABC building as the city’ youth sector center. This was the result of an earlier agreement with the city government following the Konsultahang Kabataan conducted by Seguerra last December 28 here.
In a ceremony, NYC Chair Cariza “Aiza” Seguerra, City Mayor Ferdinand Tubban and City Vice Mayor Darwin Estrañero led the turnover ceremony marking the partnership to institutionalize the operations of the Tabuk City Youth Hub.
Seguerra in a message talked about his advocacy to set up youth centers around the country, commending the city government of Tabuk for being the first LGU to accept the challenge. Citing various issues affecting the youth these days, it is crucial, he said, for LGUs to set up a place for the youngsters especially for the out of school youth or OSYs to productively spend their time and learn something.
The government, he said, somehow fell short in providing support to capacitate the sector, and this is where the local governments come in to establish hubs to address the gaps especially in the provision of counseling and information.
The center he said will provide them a place to seek advice and where they could refer their concerns. Being idealistic and passionate, it is vital, he underscored, that the youngsters are properly guided to the right directions and empower them to make intelligent decisions and harness their potentials and capabilities to become more productive.
Expressing his support to the NYC programs, Mayor Tubban commended the sincere commitment of the NYC to help develop the youth sector as partner in nation-building.
Vice Mayor Estrañero on the other hand pointed to the possible contributions of the youth in decision-making especially in changing the political and cultural values of the society if properly organized. The challenge he said is how to steer the youth from drugs and other unproductive activities.
Currently, the city government and the NYC are polishing the provisions and conditions of the MOA to comprehensively address the sector’s needs. Initially, the hub aside from being a counseling venue is also seen as center for youth training and seminars.
The NYC was established through the Youth in Nation-Building Act, which was enacted in 1995 creating the National Comprehensive and Coordinated Program on Youth Development. NYC provides the youth with opportunities for the creation of new policies and advocacies for youth development. **
