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1ST NATIONAL YOUTH SUMMIT
A three-day National Youth Summit entitled. Pambansang Ugong ng Kabataan (PUNK) was held last December 10-12 at Corporate Inn Hotel in Malate, Manila to discuss and list down issues facing the youth. The topics and problems discussed were then documented and presented to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for the government to study and consider in future policy-making. |
PAMBANSANG UGONG NG KABATAAN
Making New Years resolutions should be fairly easy if you know what problems to change or correct. Our nation your gave the government an early Christmas gift by listing down the problems that need attention, in hopes of our countrys top guns making resolutions and taking action for the future that will benefit the youth. A three-day National Youth Summit entitled. Pambansang Ugong ng Kabataan (PUNK) was held last December 10-12 at Corporate Inn Hotel in Malate, Manila to discuss and list down issues facing the youth. The topics and problems discussed were then documented and presented to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for the government to study and consider in future policy-making.
The President had expressed her desire to consult with the youth to assess their concerns and needs, especially since they had a big part in EDSA 2. From this directive, the National Youth Consultative Task Force organized PUNK.
Chaired by the Department of Social Welfare and Development and co-chaired by the Department of Interior and Local Government and the Department of Education, Culture and Sports, the task force began preparations in June of this year. Regional Youth Summits were held throughout the country, including the ARMM and CAR regions. Four representatives were then chosen from each region and sent to Manila to attend PUNK.
ISSUES
The delegates represented four different sectors, namely, student youth, out-of-school youth, working youth and youth with special needs. Twenty-year-old Danilo Lumakid was one of the representative from Region 11 (Davao Oriental) and said, we are very thankful for the PUNK because at last we have a venue where authorities can hear us and voice out our problems. Under the youth with special needs group, he represented youth from indigenous tribes. The special needs group also includes youth with disabilities.
Delegate Albert Camay, from Region 6 (Negros Occidental), who represent out-of-school youth, observed that regardless of sector of region, the problems faced by the nations youth were similar in nature and scope.
Issues discussed were grouped under three categories. In the Survival and Development category, the top five issues were education, employment, health, reproductive health and family problems. In the Participation category, the top four issues were government-related problems, the Sangguniang Kabataan, lack of active participation and lack of access to information. In the Protection category, the top seven issues were substance abuse, child abuse, child labor, children in conflict with the law, prostitution, fraternities/sororities/hazing and pre-marital sex.
WHAT HAPPENED
The first days of the summit were set for discussions amongst the delegates to deliver their concerns and suggested courses of action. The third day was a formal presentation to the President in Malacanyang.
To open the summit, the delegates had a Christmas tree decoration ceremony where they wrote down their expectations and desired outcome form PUNK on the ornaments.
Paulo ë°„am?Aquino III, National Youth Commission commissioner said these delegates are really empowered. I was pleasantly surprised at how articulate they are in expressing their concerns.?br>
In the third day saw a surprise visit from Sen. Francisco ë°™iko?Pangilinan who gave a pep talk to the delegates. The delegates also had an open forum with the government officials. The delegates were able to express their concerns and receive feedback from Secretary Teresita Deles (National Anti-poverty Commission), Secretary Manuel Dayrit (DOH) , Secretary Joey Lina (DILG), Secretary Mar Roxas (DTI) and Dinky Soliman (DSWD).
Secretary Raul Roco of DECS also gave a short speech for the delegates, encouraging them to steer away from 뱓he beaten path? and take action against the problems they faced.
There are currently no plans to have another PUNK summit but Bam Aquino said the NYC will monitor if the issues presented by the PUNK will be given appropriate attention by the government. This mixed group of delegates came from all sectors. Regardless of social standing and whether they came from the city or indigenous tribes, their coming together to help contribute to the country is the biggest thing PUNK can give.
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PUNK Delegates with President GMA
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VOICE OF THE YOUTHNETWORK (VOTY) is about encouraging Filipino Youth to believe in themselves and their ability to make a difference in our country the Philippines. They create environments where people are exposed to new thinking, a diversity of voices, and new opportunities. Driven by youth, their goal is to foster a sense of leadership, participation and social entrepreneurship through the innovative use of technology and media, creating meaningful experiences for the youth in the Philippines. |
POCHOLO GONZALES and the rest of PUNK Delegates with Pres. GMA and DSWD Secretary Soliman.
As this picture demonstrates, lighting can show the glory of the ordinary. For the best results, take pictures in the morning and evenings; the light at dawn and dusk brings depth and softness to objects and people.
KABATAAN |
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