As what our national hero Dr. Jose Rizal enunciated, “The youth is the hope of the nation.”
In the City of San Fernando, youth are indeed the hope of the nation as the local government implements comprehensive programs to ensure their welfare.
As what Mayor Edwin “EdSa” Santiago always says: “Lagi natin isali ang mga kabataan sa pagtatatag ng isang progresibong Syudad. ”
This is what San Fernando did in organizing a “Local Youth Development Plan Formulation” on June 4-5, 2019 at the Epatha, Sacop in Barangay Maimpis.
Participated by the Supreme Student Government (SSG) sresidents and sangguniang kabataan chairmen, the activity was made possible through the efforts of the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWD) in coordination with the City Mayor’s Office.
CSWD Officer Aileen Villanueva stressed the importance of youth involvement in the society and the significance of having a Local Youth Development Plan in a Local Government Unit (LGU).
“Malaking bahagi ng ating populasyon ang ating mga kabataan. Kung susukatin nga natin, yung age ng youth is 15-30 years old. So, base sa national data, 30% nung population natin ang nandito sa ganitong edad. Yung mga youth gusto natin silang maging partner sa nation building at syempre napakalaki din ng kanilang productivity at maco-contribute sa development din ng ating city. Kaya malaking milestone ito if we are going to produce the plan nang sa ganun ay ma-anchor lahat nang mga plano sa barangay, sa level ng SK, at yung iba’t-iba pang youth organization as well yung mga youth serving organization natin dito sa city,” said Villanueva.
The two-day workshop was given by National Youth Commission Cluster Head for North Luzon Jose Cielos. Highlight of the activities were the presentation of youth development plan 2017-2022 and drafting of the local youth development plan (LYDP).
The participants were also able to express their concerns and draw up a proposed programs to address their issues.
“Dati kasi, sa konsepto ng mga youth development ang nagpa-plano yung mga matatanda. Tapos i-implement lang sa mga bata. Pangalawa di sila kasama nung pina-plano yung programs, and yung structure na ginagawa natin ngayon, yung sistema, sa paggawa ng pagpa-plano, we involve them, para at the end of the day may ownership sila na maitatawag,” said Cielos in an interview.
Kyla Sofia Simpauco, city’s Youth Ambassador, expressed her gratitude to the local government for always supporting the youth and for making them priority in every aspect.
“To our local government po, thank you so much sa mga walang sawang tulong niyo. Ang ganda po ng mga programs niyo para sa amin. Kaya, sana po, hindi ito tumigil at mas lalo pa pong mag-improve, dahil hindi lamang po ito para sa amin kundi maging sa mga susunod na generation po,” said Simpauco.