Create youth dev’t offices, WV local gov’ts urged

ILOILO – Local government units (LGUs) in Western Visayas were encouraged to put up Local Youth Development Offices (LYDOs) that will develop and carry out programs and projects promoting the welfare of the

youth.

Creating an LYDO in every province, city and town was provided for under Republic Act 10742, or the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Reform Act of 2015, according to National Youth Commission ( NYC) Visayas Cluster head Dr. Sheridan Athena Gajete.

“[ On] Feb. 24, 2017, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) also issued Memorandum Circular 2017-36 urging the local chief executives to create their respective LYDOs,” she said.

Under the SK Reform Act of 2015, the LYDO shall provide technical assistance to the Local Youth Development Council ( LYDC) in formulating the Local Youth Development Plan (LYDP).

The LYDO shall also conduct mandatory and continuing training programs — designed and implemented by the NYC and the DILG — for SK officials and LYDC members.

Moreover, the LYDO shall work closely with concerned LGUs in facilitating the election of LYDC representatives; serving

as secretariat to the LYDC; providing technical, logistical and other support in mandatory and continuing training programs and to other such programs of the NYC and the DILG; and coordinating with the NYC with regard to youth programs within their jurisdiction.

The LYDC assists in planning and executing projects and programs of the SK and SK federations.

The LYDO may be placed under the office of the local chief executive, planning and development, social welfare, or other offices deemed appropriate by the LGU.

In addition, the LYDO shall be headed by a youth development officer with the rank of at least division chief. The LGU may designate an existing employee as youth development officer.

Only 53 LGUs i n t he Philippines — including Iloilo City, the only in Western Visayas — have active LYDCs as of March, Gajete said. ( PIA/ PN)