TABUK CITY, Kalinga – National Youth Commission (NYC) chairperson Cariza ‘’Aiza’’ Seguerra led a two-day on-tour consultation in Kalinga to understand the needs of the youth at the grassroot level, especially in far-far barangays, as a basis for the formulation of national programs and services.
Seguerra and her team headed to Magtoma National High School, Lay-asan Tanudan, and Bulo East Elementary School, Bulo, Tabuk City on December 27 and in Liwan West, Rizal on December 28.
The consultation also brought to the attention of Kalinga youth the programs and services of NYC like scholarship, health and nutrition, livelihood training and other government assistance which can spare the youth from harmful activities like drug addiction, pre-marital sex, teen age pregnancy, crime, and violence.
Included in the array of NYC services is the Post Drug Rehabilitation Program which is in partnership with the local government unit for the reformation and rehabilitation of youth involved in illegal drug activities.
In an interview, Aisa said that her visit to Kalinga is the third and last league for this year. The first was the consultation with the indigenous peoples of CARAGA Region and the second was with the Muslim youth of the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao, particularly in Zambaoanga City and Cotabato City.
‘’I was impressed by the warm hospitality of the Kalinga people. People here uphold their culture and preserve their indigenous practices to shape their behavior and inculcate positive values,’’ Seguerra pointed out, adding there is a need to strengthen youth registration program so that every Filipino youth avails the services.
When asked about the status of Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) election, Seguerra was hopeful that elections will push through on October 2017 and assured that newly-elected officers will undergo training to capacitate youth leaders to strictly and efficiently implement the law.
The NYC Office, with an annual budget of 145 million pesos has seven offices accross the country based in the cities of Legaspi (Region V- Bicol Region), Baguio (Cordillera Administrative Region), Iloilo (Region VI- Western Visayas), Cebu (Region VII-Central Visayas), Davao (Region XI- Davao Region), Cagayan De Oro (Region X-Northern Mindanao) and in Manila (National Capital Region).
By Darwin S. Serion