Underscoring the importance of the Filipino youth to national development, President Ferdinand R. Marco Jr. on Wednesday urged the younger generation to get involved in governance and political discourse, as he vowed complete support from the national government.
“Kung mayroon kayong nakikitang mas magandang pamamaraan, sabihin ninyo. Isigaw ninyo. Iyong mga matatanda, hindi makikinig sa inyo, pero pilitin niyo.,” President Marcos said during the swearing-in rites in Malacañang for the newly elected officers of the Liga ng mga Barangay (LnB) and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) National and Island Representatives.
“Lahat naman pagka may pangyayari na ganyan, sasabihin — kung maganda ang naging resulta, anong masama doon? Kung hindi matagumpay, hindi maganda ang lumabas, hindi bale, sige next, subukan natin ibang bagay, subukan natin ibang sistema,” he stated.
With the Filipino youth becoming probably the youngest workforce in Asia averaging 25 years old, it is important that young people get involved in social debate and governance, the President said.
In addition, the country needs the energy of young people, their “new blood”, particularly with the current advancements in technology and cyberspace, which have become very important part of people’s lives.
While technology wasn’t important several decades ago, things have changed, President Marcos stressed, noting the country now needs the intuitive and instinctive knowledge of the youth.
“The future is going to be technology driven, and that is why the natural instinct of younger people, when it comes to technology, is important. It has to be part of all our thinking. It has to be part of all our planning,” President Marcos said.
“So, kaya’t nabanggit ko lahat ‘yan ay dahil nais ko lang naman talagang ipaalam sa inyo na dahil nga sa aking karanasan bilang local government official ay asahan po ninyo na lahat ng inyong mga iniisip, lahat ng inyong mga suggestion, lahat ng inyong sinasabi sa amin ay pinapakinggan namin ‘yan.”
The President also reminded his audience of the importance of the local government, particularly the barangays in the government’s decision-making, planning, and the nation’s hope for the future.
What the national leaders are doing is not intended for the older generation of Filipinos but for the country’s young people and the new generation, he said.
“So, we have to hear from the young people. We have to hear from the ordinary citizens what is the future that you want? What is the future that you feel we can achieve? And how do you suggest that we do it?” President Marcos said.
“These questions are very, very important and these are questions that we ask of the local government and I promise you, we will listen to those answers,” he emphasized.
Republic Act 10742 or the SK Reform Act of 2015 was passed to encourage youth participation in local governance.
Among the SK programs and projects include establishing the Local Youth Offices that administer youth programs and advocate youth rights; setting the Local Youth Development Plan that serves as roadmap for the youth development; and implementing the Local Development Council to enhance centric policies and programs. PND
