A total of 1,000 provincial chapter presidents of the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) are expected to participate in the National Youth Convention 2023 slated in Baguio City from Dec. 7 to 10, according to the Department of the Interior and Local Government )DILG).
Spearheaded by the National Youth Commission (NYC), DILG Secretary Benjamin “Benhur’’ Abalos Jr. explained that the convention with the theme, “Mga Bagong BIDA sa Bagong Pilipinas”, will train SK leaders to become effective participants in local and national development.
“Malaki ang hamon na hinaharap ng ating mga SK leaders. Inaasahan natin na sila ang magiging bida ng bagong henerasyon ng kabataan para maging kaagapay ng pamahalaan sa pagtahak sa Bagong Pilipinas (The SK leaders face huge challenges. We expect that they will lead the new youth generation to be with the government in the path towards Bagong Pilipinas),’’ Abalos said.
“Magkatuwang ang DILG at ang NYC para ihanda ang SK at siguruhing matutupad nila ang kanilang tungkulin (The DILG and the NYC are one in preparing the SK and ensure that they accomplish their assigned tasks),’’ he added.
Abalos lamented that the convention will also provide a comprehensive overview of the youth landscape in the Philippines.
The DILG stated that the convention will also tackle the National Youth Assessment Study, the role of the NYC and the Philippine Youth Development Plan 2013-2028, as well as the Philippine National Action Plan on Youth, Peace, and Security.
In addition, the DILG stressed that the activity will equip newly-elected SK federation presidents with comprehensive knowledge of their roles in youth development and in addressing societal concerns.
“There will also be team-building activities with the cadets of the Philippine Military Academy, Philippine National Police Academy, AFP Officer Candidate School and the Reserve Officers Training Course,’’ the DILG bared.
During the activity, the SK provincial, highly urbanized city and independent component city chapter federation presidents will also elect their national representative and island representatives.
The elected SK national representative will sit as the ex-officio member of the NYC, while the island representatives will serve as representatives of the NYC Advisory Council.