ILOILO CITY -- The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is backing the Iloilo City government’s initiatives for out-of-school youth through its USAID Opportunity 2.0 program.
This was formalized after Mayor Jerry Treñas recently signed an executive order creating the Iloilo City Youth Development Alliance (ICYDA) which will work with the US-based nonprofit Education Development Center (EDC).
“ICYDA's vision is to become a dynamic alliance that empowers out-of-school youth as agents of change, peace, and development in Iloilo City,” Treñas said.
Through the multi-sectoral ICYDA, key decision makers in the city government and stakeholders will be able to craft policies and programs that benefit the Ilonggo marginalized youth. It includes continuing education, employment, or entrepreneurship.
Iloilo City is one of the 15 selected cities for USAID Opportunity 2.0 where a P1.9-billion budget would be spent for Filipino out of school-youth to improve their education, employment, and livelihood outcomes by 2025.
The EDC is collaborating with the government’s Department of Education (DepEd) and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).
The EDC is also in partnership with the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization-Regional Centre for Educational Innovation and Technology (SEAMEO-INNOTECH), the Voluntary Services Overseas (VSO), the Philippine Business for Education (PBEd), the Catholic Relief Services (CRS), and Accenture.