THE 20th City Council has approved two vital ordinances — the Davao City Youth Development Council (DCYDC) Ordinance and the Davao City Youth Development Division-Local Youth Development Office (DCYDD-LYDO) of Davao City Ordinance, during its 38th regular session held Tuesday morning, October 10, at the Sanguniang Panlungsod.
Davao City Councilor Jaffar Marohomsalic, who also serves as the city’s Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Federation President, said in a media interview that this newly established division would operate under the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) and would be dedicated to addressing youth concerns.
“Mao ni ang opisina nga mututok gyud sa tanan concerns sa mga kabatan-unan, SK affairs ba siya na concerns and also those organizations that are existing under the City Government of Davao (This is the office that will focus on all youth concerns, whether related to SK affairs, existing youth organizations under the City Government of Davao, or any other issues),” Marohomsalic said.
The council will be composed of the chairperson, who will be the SK Federation president, and the vice chairperson, who will be the vice president of the SK Federation, and the members will be youth or youth-serving organizations.
Before they become a member of the council, the youth organization must undergo the youth organization registration program. The council members will be the ones that will cater to the three-year Davao City Youth Development Plan.
He said that, unlike the SK, the Youth Development Council is a broader entity designed to cater to all youth, not exclusively those affiliated with the SK.
He also said that one of the office's key functions is to monitor the programs of the SK and youth organizations to ensure they genuinely benefit their intended recipients.
With a P7 million budget allocation provided by the Human Resource Management Office (HRMO), Marohomsalic expressed confidence in the council's implementation by 2024.
Meanwhile, Reyland Alfeche, Vice President of the Family Planning Organization of the Philippines-Youth Core Group (FPOP-YCG), said he supports the council's implementation, recognizing it as a testament to the city's unwavering commitment to youth empowerment.
“This initiative not only highlights the importance of youth engagement but also promises to be a driving force for positive change. It will serve as a forum for youth voices to be heard, enabling us to tailor programs and policies that directly address unique challenges and aspirations of our youth,” Alfeche said.
He eagerly anticipated being part of the journey toward youth empowerment and development through this ordinance, as it has the potential to foster a more inclusive and vibrant community for all.