Aspiring president Senator Manny Pacquiao is considering creating an agency for the youth, to be named Department of Youth Education, if he wins in the upcoming elections.
Pacquiao said Thursday the said department will be the only agency dedicated to address the vital needs of the Filipino youth and help them prepare for a better future.
Among its objectives is to grant full scholarships to students who will pursue college, and even master's degrees, the lawmaker said.
"More on parang turuan sila especially moral values, kasi we have to empower them. Sila ang future, para maihanda ang mindset nila na sila ang pag-asa ng bayan (It's to teach them, especially about moral values, because we have to empower them. They are the future, we have to prepare their mindset that they are the hope of this country)," Pacquiao said when asked what his proposed department will be tasked to do.
Apart from that, Pacquiao said, sports development and education will be the vital components of his proposed department.
"Yes, kasama rin iyan, encourage natin sila para hindi matutong magbisyo-bisyo (Yes it will be included. We have to encourage them so that they will keep away from vices)," he said when asked if sports will be included as part of the mandate of the proposed department.
He also said opportunities to take up medicine and law and other graduate studies will be made available to the country’s youth.
Pacquiao stressed that is about time for the government to take good care of the youth and ensure that their future will be bright with support for better education, satisfactory health, sports program, and ideal moral guidance.