Mindanaotoday.com | Local youth assembly cluster 2: Empowering future leaders
By: Lou Ellen L. Antonio
ILIGAN CITY – Driven with enthusiasm and determination, 50 passionate youth here and from different towns in Lanao del Norte and Misamis Occidental convened at the Local Youth Assembly (LYA) Cluster 2 with a shared vision to foster a thriving democracy that echoes the voices of the young generation.
The assembly gathered youth from various sectors, including the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK), young professionals, out-of-school youth (OSY), and representatives from the indigenous people (IP) and Moro communities.
Spearheaded by the Youth Leadership for Democracy (YouthLed) program, funded by The Asia Foundation and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the assembly stands as an extraordinary platform, not just for dialogues but for action-driven initiatives that hold the potential to reshape the landscape of democratic governance.
YouthLed PH also partnered with YGOAL, Inc., and the Dilaab Northern Mindanao Coalition for the said event.
Bridging the gap
A National Youth Survey by the Social Weather Station in 2021 revealed a significant gap in young people’s participation in democratic governance, particularly at the local level. The survey shed light on the root cause: a lack of awareness among youth regarding formal and non-formal mechanisms of participation in democratic governance.
“What we hope after this local youth after assembly is hindi lang magtapos sa pagbibigay or pagpaparating ng kanilang mga (that it doesn’t just end with the presentation or communication) issues and concerns, but eventually through their joint effort, listening together and understanding these issues and concerns together, they will be able to come up with solutions,” said Lawyer Mildred Ople, YouthLed program officer.
She also emphasized that the youth can engage through formal mechanisms like the SK Reform Act, the Local Youth Development Council (LYDC), and the Katipunan ng Kabataan (KK) Assembly in the barangay.
With the LYA, the youth leaders embarked on a journey of connecting with one another and forming linkages around the issues that mattered most to them.
According to Liam Aiken Osorio, regional cluster head of the Dilaab Northern Mindanao Coalition, a youth-led movement aiming to promote meaningful youth participation in governance, there will be a follow-up activity centered on capacity building after the LYA.
The participants will also be part of their coalition. Through advocacy campaigns and empowerment programs, they strive to bring positive change to the region.
Passion and collaboration
Participants in LYA shared their insights and experiences, weaving stories of passion and collaboration.
Elchamberline Campos, a household head of Couples for Christ-Youth for Christ Linamon Chapter, a faith-based organization, expressed appreciation for the assembly that provided them with an opportunity to meet diverse organizations with shared passion but unique approaches to making a positive impact.
He hoped that his fellow students would remain steadfast in their goals, missions, and vision for the neighborhood and lend a helping hand to those whom their organization had not yet been able to reach.
Meanwhile, Kenneth Jhester Haim of the International Association of Youth and Students for Peace Pilipinas-Misamis Occidental chapter said the LYA provided an invaluable opportunity to connect with various stakeholders and organizations, forging partnerships that would strengthen their mission to plant 1 billion trees.
Joshua Matthew Sanchez of Iligan Youth Mental Health Advocates hoped that such initiatives would continue each year. He yearned for more organizations to join the cause to ensure that other issues like HIV/AIDS and other health-related issues would have a voice.
Partnership with youth
Vice Mayor Rachelle Vienna Pestolante Abundiente of Linamin town shared their best practices for involving youth in the policy-making process. She said that there is an office dedicated to organizing meetings among the youth sectors to address their concerns and problems effectively. Through these meetings, the youth can propose adjustments or programs that cater to their needs and interests.
Meanwhile, Lawyer Annamhel Monique Roa, councilor of Clarin, Misamis Occidental, emphasized the importance of youth awareness regarding their representation in the Sangguniang Bayan (local legislative body) through the Sangguniang Kabataan to address urgent youth concerns by implementing policies.
The local government also encourages the youth to take part in symposiums it organizes so they can directly express their opinions and go to public consultations or meetings.
Stakeholders from the local government units of Iligan, Clarin, Linamon, and the 55th Engineer Brigade also pledged their commitment to supporting the youth participants in implementing their programs and projects. (LELA/PIA-10/Lanao del Norte)
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