Cebu creates prov’l youth commission

CEBU, Philippines- Youth sector in the province of Cebu will now have a “permanent” representation at the provincial government after an ordinance creating a Provincial Youth Commission has been approved in the third and final reading yesterday.

The ordinance, authored by Provincial Board member Miguel Antonio Magpale, plays as the highest policy making and coordinating body in all efforts on youth development in the province.

It will be responsible for the formulation and recommendation of policies, and coordination and implementation of youth development programs, projects and activities in the province.

Magpale said this would be done in coordination with the National Youth Commission, different national government agencies, local government units, youth organizations, and youth serving institutions or those organizations whose principal programs, projects and activities are youth-oriented.

He added that the Sangguniang Kabataan, which positions are made vacant to pave way for the Congress to study and create reforms on it, will also be a partner with the commission.

The specific functions of the committee which are provided under the ordinance further include developing and providing support for the development and coordination of youth projects and design strategies to gain support and participation of the all sectors, establishing youth centers, convening and confederate all youth organizations operating in the Province and registered with the National Youth Commission, among others.

The PYC will be chaired by the Governor, or his authorized representative, and co-chaired by the Vice Governor.

This committee will also have set of commissioners which are composed of President of the Provincial Federation of SK, and Presidents of the Provincial Federations of Student Organizations, Community Based Youth Organizations, Working Youth Organizations, Out of School Youth organizations, Youth with Special Needs Organizations, Religious Youth Organizations, and representatives of the Provincial Federation of Youth Serving Organizations and Institutions.

Magpale said the committee will convene this month. He added that though there is no budget yet allocated for the committee this year, stakeholders will tie up with LGUs and national government agencies for the realization of its programs.

"Hopefully sa creation sa PYC which is under the Office of the Governor, atong ma-address ang concerns and issues sa youth. Ang SK man gud is legislative in nature so they are just like us, as public officials, they are elected every three years. Kining commission it has permanence and is executor aron sab naay continuity ang programs sa youth," he added.  —/JMD) (FREEMAN)