Baguio council receives Youth Agenda

By KABATAAN (PR)

BAGUIO CITY — Last Monday, youth groups led by Kabataan Partylits, National Union of Students of the Philippines (NUSP), College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP), Anakbayan and the Cordillera Youth Center passed the Baguio Youth Agenda to the city government of Baguio.

The agenda is the result of numerous consultations, workshops and dialogues of the youth from communities and schools in the city for the past year culminating at the North Luzon Youth Summit at Teacher’s camp last Jan. 26 to 27, 2013.

According to data from the National Statistics Office (NSO), the number of youths aged 18 to 30 is estimated at 20 million. “In past elections, the nation has already felt the formidable force of the youth vote. This time around, let’s level up our engagement. We call on the youth to be active participants in the upcoming polls, and carefully criticize all candidates. We should look for those who have a pro-youth and pro-people stand on issues, platforms and a track record of service to the people of Baguio” says Cielo Marie Bayson, spokesperson of Kabataan Partylist Cordillera.

The three page document is composed of five demands concerning the youth in the city. First is free and quality education, healthcare services, environmental protection, protection of human rights, and economic stability. “This document will be our standard in choosing the right candidates to support in the coming May elections. Moreover, may this document serve as a guide for the next government officials in drafting their programs and policies for the next years,” says Bayson. # nordis.net