Creation of youth development office pushed

CEBU, Philippines — An ordinance creating the Cebu City Youth Development Office (CCYDO) and Cebu City Local Youth Development Council (CCLYDC) has been proposed by Councilor Jessica Resch.

Resch is pushing for the amendment of City Ordinance No. 1425 to cope with the “ever-changing demands, needs, and resources of the youth sector at present.”

Resch, Sangguniang Kabataan Federation (SKF) President, is supported by Vice Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia and Councilor Donaldo “Dondon” Hontiveros as co-authors.

The city government has long recognized the necessity of developing the youth through the passage of CO 1425, as amended by CO 2134, constituting the "Cebu City Youth Development Commission" under the Office of the Mayor whose functions lead to satisfactory implementation of various programs and services for the development of the youth.

The proposed measure entitled “Cebu City Youth Development Office and Cebu City Local Youth Development Council Ordinance of 2022” was referred to the Committee on Laws, Ordinances and Styling for review.

Section 8 states the creation of CCYDO as a division under the Office of the Mayor.

It shall be initially organized and composed of the Local Youth Development Officer to be assisted by nine personnel responsible for policy and planning; administration and finance; and programs and operations.

Among the functions of the youth development office are to register and verify youth and youth-serving organizations; provide technical assistance to the CCLYDC in the formulation of the Cebu City Local Youth Development Plan (CCLYDP); and facilitate the election of the CCLYDC representatives.

Meanwhile, Section 11 provides that the CCLYDC shall be headed by the SKF President and composed of representatives of youth and youth-serving organizations at the city level.

It shall assist in the planning and execution of projects and programs contained in the CCLYDP.

The duties and functions of the CCLYDC are to serve as the core of the advocacy on youth participation in nation-building and youth empowerment; finalize the three year CCLYDP that is anchored in the Philippine Youth Development Plan (PYDP) and the development plans of the city; and monitor and evaluate the implementation of the CCLYDP.

Once approved, the city government shall include the allocation of not less than 1 percent in its Annual Budget for the implementation of the projects/programs and

activities contained in the CCLYDP, convening the meetings of the concerned Pederasyon ng mga SK and CCLYDC - as well as its operation and effective functioning.

The overall implementation of these programs shall be spearheaded by the CCYDO in coordination with the Cebu City Youth Development Council and the SK Pederasyon with the supervision of the local chief executive. — FPL (FREEMAN)