THE president of Negros Occidental Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Federation has vowed to support the government in its campaign against illegal drugs.
Responding to the call of the National Youth Commission (NYC), Board Member Pocholo Yuvienco said he will be advocating for programs that would address the issue of illegal drugs in the province.
Yuvienco attended, for the first time, the regular session of the Provincial Board of Negros Occidental in Bacolod City yesterday, July 4.
“I am going to propose resolutions in the Provincial Board pushing for the conduct of seminars for the youth,” he said, adding that “I am thinking of organizing it among schools so that we can gather large numbers of participants.”
This is going to be a province-wide forum focusing also on the campaign against illegal drugs like that of the NYC, Yuvienco said.
“The Federation really has a big role because many of the SK’s age group, from 15 to 30 years old, are very critical when it comes to issues of drugs as well as teenage pregnancy,” he stressed.
The NYC is tapping the youth in the province to help in the campaign against illegal drugs along with disaster response initiatives.
Assistant Secretary Ronald Cardema, also the officer-in-charge chairman of the NYC, during his visit in Bacolod City on Sunday, July 1, said youth leaders should also get involved in the fight against illegal drugs starting with the basic information campaign.
Believing that the youth should play a role in such campaign, Cardema said the commission has partnered with the Dangerous Drugs Board, Philippine National Police, and Armed Forces of the Philippines.
“We want our barangays to be safe for the youth,” he said, adding that their number priority is also disaster preparedness.
For this, Yuvienco said the Provincial SK Federation recognizes the importance of youth involvement in building and sustaining disaster-responsive communities.
“We can also provide venues and platforms for discussions that would enable the youth to contribute in the push for safer province and country as well,” he added.
Meanwhile, though subject yet to the discussion and approval of the Board, the SK Chairman from San Carlos City will chair the committee on sports.
Yuvienco will also be the vice chairman of the committee on games and amusement, and member of the committee on barangay affairs.