Baguio City may soon have a youth welfare and empowerment code upon the enactment of an ordinance authored by Councilor Levy Lloyd Orcales.
The proposed ordinance was approved on first reading by the city council.
The ordinance, which will be called the Youth Welfare and Development Code of Baguio City 2022, seeks to provide the youth in the city enabling mechanisms and support systems that create more opportunities to enhance and prioritize their general welfare.
“The city acknowledges the impact of a service-driven leadership and therefore must provide mechanisms to boost strategies in leading the youth in pursuit of greater involvement in public and civic activities,” Orcales wrote in the proposed ordinance.
He said Baguio, being a diversity hub, gives value to the ability of the youth as the “leaders of today and future-shapers of the city.”
He said it is the mandate of the city government, through its offices and partners, particularly the Sangguniang Kabataan Federation and the City Youth Development Office (CYDO), to encourage the youth to actively participate in the crafting of policies and monitoring of projects for youth empowerment.
“The potential of the youth can be limitless. They only need utmost support and access to platforms and opportunities for them to develop their capabilities to be able to contribute to the progress of the community,” the councilor stated.
The proposed code has 16 articles.
An amount of not less than P3 million from the annual CYDO budget will be appropriated annually for the full implementation of the ordinance.
The proposed ordinance was referred to the city council’s committee on youth welfare and sports development for review. – Jordan G. Habbiling
April 20, 2024
