NATIONAL Youth Commission (NYC) Chairperson Cariza “Aiza” Y. Seguerra on Sunday expressed optimism that President Rodrigo R. Duterte will sign the Philippine Youth Development Plan (PYDP) amid the agency’s lack of sufficient funds to bankroll its projects.

People waving their flags and other memorabilia while
waiting for Pope Francis’ arrival at the University of Sto. Tomas grounnds in Manila on January18, 2015 for the meeting with the youth and different religious leaders

In a text message on Sunday, the NYC chair, who met with Mr. Duterte at Malacañang on Jan. 19, said Mr. Duterte was “supportive” of NYC: “[I] discussed with him the importance of the PYDP, [which] is described as the blueprint of all programs on youth as consolidated and contributed by all stakeholders[,] which includes youth and youth serving organizations and government agencies.”

“There really is a need to amend our Charter.”

According to the NYC chief, the government appropriated around P145 million for the youth commission in 2017, of which P50 million was spent on the training module of the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK). The remaining approximately P90 million was used to pay for the salaries of its personnel and implement the commission’s programs, on the face of an estimated 30 million youth in the country.

NYC was created under the administration of Fidel V. Ramos in 1995 though Republic Act (RA) No. 8044 or “Youth in Nation-Building Act.” Under Section 6 of the said law, NYC acts as “the policy-making coordinating body of all youth-related institutions, programs, projects and activities of the government.”

Last year Mr. Duterte signed a law postponing the elections for barangay and SK officials to prevent the supposed proliferation of drug money in small communities. SK, or youth council, is among the components of NYC.

BW File Photo

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