QUEZON CITY CONVENES FIRST YOUTH DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL

QUEZON City Mayor Herbert Bautista and more than 50 youth leaders attended the first Quezon City Youth Development Council (QCYDC) organizational meeting on Monday at Barangay Ugong Norte. Bautista, himself a national and local leader in his youth, said the QCYDC is the first local youth development council convened and activated in Metro Manila. “The QCYDC will assist in the planning and execution of projects and programs of the Sangguniang Kabataan [ Youth Council],” the mayor added. “The SK cannot perform their function to the fullest if the QCYDC is not convened. The city’s plans and programs for the youth should also be advocated by the QCYDC,” City Administrator Aldrin Cuna said. Nineteen youth leaders of the QCYDC took their oath before Bautista as new members of the council. The QCYDC is composed of 21 members including the City SK Federation president and vice president as well as 19 representatives of youth organizations whose advocacy includes active citizenship, economic empowerment, education, environment, governance, health, peace building and security and social inclusion and equality. Under Republic Act 10742 or the Sangguniang Kabataan Reform Act of 2015, the Local Youth Development Council will serve as the core of the advocacy on youth participation in nation-building and youth empowerment.