Our youth, despite the challenges and uncertainties they face, remain a vital force in our society. Letting their talent and potential go to waste meant that we are wasting that one chance for our country to achieve the progress that we had dreamt for them.
Today’s youth — as it is true with all generations — are caught in the rapid changes in our political, economic and social landscape.
Despite the relaxation of restrictions and the gradual recovery of our economy after three years of the Covid-19 pandemic, the future still remains uncertain for many of our young citizens.
Added to this is the isolation many of them have suffered, not only due to the pandemic but also due to the prevalence of social media.
Caught in a crossroads between traditional values and the trends of the modern era, our youth struggle to find an identity that they could call their own.
This is where local government units (LGUs) can step into action. And LGUs could definitely learn from the example of Biñan City’s Youth and Sports Development Office (YASDO), which recently won the Philippine Sangguniang Kabataan Awards — the only LGU in Laguna province to bag the award.
Take a look at what Biñan City’s YASDO did: It did not confine itself to hosting sports leagues, as many youth offices has been stereotyped here in the Philippines, but also provided near-total support to the city’s youth.
It hosted a whole variety of activities aimed at unleashing the talent of Biñan City’s young people in a variety of disciplines; gave them the chance to become active participants in the local government scene, and provided them with the means to express their views — and make those views heard by the public.
Our youth, despite the challenges and uncertainties they face, remain a vital force in our society. Letting their talent and potential go to waste meant that we are wasting that one chance for our country to achieve the progress that we had dreamt for them.