“Hindi po nalugi ang LGU ng San Pedro, Laguna sa pag-iinvest sa mga kabataan.”
That was the conviction of the San Pedro City Youth and Sports and Development Office (CYSDO) as it once again received the Gold Seal at the Sagisag ng Modelong Paggogobyerno ng Laguna 2025 Awards.
The award, given last October 30, is the highest recognition given to Local Youth Development Offices (LYDOs) that embody excellence, integrity, and social impact in youth governance.
Aside from the CYSDO, the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) councils of Barangays Langgam, Pacita 1 and Chrysanthemum also bagged awards during the event.
Engaging the youth
The fact that the local youth development office received this distinction for the second consecutive year is a testament that the city’s efforts to ensure that “Una ang Kabataan” is working, according to CYSDO head Glenn Torrecampo.
One way the city government engages the youth is through development and leadership programs that will enable them to become role models, Torrecampo added.
“Napakahalaga po na may training and development programs po tayo for the youth, kasi sila po yung tinitignan natin ang mga future leaders. So nagsisimula talaga sa level nila yung paghubog,” he emphasized.
“Hindi man po kalakihan ang ating budget, pero we make sure po na bawat program natin ay may impact sa ating mga kabataan.”
Representation
Through programs such as the Junior City Officers (JCOs) and forging links with the city’s 27 SK councils and youth organizations, the city youth development officer said his office has been able to formulate policies and programs to ensure their welfare.
“We actually showcased kung ano po ang ginagawa ng ating mga JCO, kung ano po ang natututuhan nila sa kanilang mga karanasan,” Torrecampo added.
“At hindi lamang po ‘for compliance’ ang programa nating ito, pero binigyan rin po natin ng opportunity yung Junior City Mayor to sit down sa Locally Development Council for one year.
“This meant may representation yung mga estudyante ng ating lungsod through the Junior City Mayor.”
It was through this cooperation and convergence that the Sangguniang Panglungsod was able to pass the San Pedro City Youth Code, the first such legislation in the city aimed at safeguarding the welfare of the youth.
“Ito pong San Pedro City Youth Code ay inclusive na po, na-cover na po lahat ng concerns ng ating mga kabataan – persons with disability (PWDs), students, even out-of-school youth,” Torrecampo bared.
Challenge
The challenge now, the CYSDO head pointed out, is ensuring that the city’s youth leaders will stay true to their pledge of public service and good governance in a culture where corruption has become the norm.
“Natutuwa kami dahil na ipapaintindi namin sa kanila how it is to have a good governance. So, ibig sabihin, once na na-incorporate yun sa buhay nila, dadalhin ho nila yun,” he said.
“But the challenge is, yung environment natin dictates so much na maging dishonest ka on your personal advantage. So yung tukso nun, yung temptation na yun, hindi naman namin ma-monitor all the time.
“Kaya naman dapat consistent kami sa paglalagyan ng mga programs na would instill yung ganong konsepto until such time na sila na yung magiging leader.”
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