DAVAO DEL NORTE, Jan. 7 (PIA) – The province’s Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Federation has committed to contribute to health, education, and livelihood sectors this year amidst the pandemic.
During Kapihan sa DavNor yesterday, January 6, 2021, Provincial SK Federation President, Sangguniang Kabataan Board Member Emerson Dave Silutan and Carmen Municipal SK Federation President Hon. Uniriza Y. Sato observed these sectors as the most important for the youth.
“Naa gyuy three major things nga among na observe nga very effective gyud sa mga kabatan-unan (There are really three major things we observed to be very effective to the youth),” Silutan said.
“First is health; physical, mental, emotional. Second is education because school year is affected since face-to-face is no longer feasible. And the third one is livelihood; daghan kaayo tag mga ka-igsuonan mga youth nga affected ilang employment (we have so many fellow youths whose employment were affected),” Silutan explained.
For women’s health, Sato emphasized the prevention of teenage pregnancy, citing the increased number of cases since the pandemic.
“As a woman, I am concerned of the teenage pregnancy. Because of the pandemic, mas nag taas ang cases sa atong teenage pregnancy. It’s very alarming because ang livelihood wala pa. How much more if you add another stomach nga paka-onon (the cases have increased for teenage pregnancy. It’s very alarming since the livelihood is not there yet, how much more if you add another stomach to feed?),” Sato said.
For this, she said that trainings and seminars will be conducted virtually to educate the youth on prevention and safety motherhood.
Silutan added that there will also be programs on mental health.
According to Silutan and Sato, the SK’s main project for health is “Teen Tambayan”, a hangout place where youths with any health concerns such as teenage pregnancy, HIV, etc. can speak with peer counselors, and health experts for free.
Alternatively, there will be “Love Line”, a phone call alternative for those who are not comfortable with in-person consultation.
For their contribution to education, SK’s project called “Appeal for Papel” seeks to help sustain the modular method of instruction.
Through Appeal for Papel, the SK calls on donors and concerned agencies to donate paper, whether directly to school or through the province, for the education sector to use in producing modules.
For livelihood, the SK will heavily promote and take part in KAAGAPAY (Kawsa sa Agrikultura ug Panginabihian sa Barangay).
KAAGAPAY is Gov. Edwin I. Jubahib’s flagship food-sufficiency program through which the provincial government gives seedlings or livestock to interested households for them to grow and produce their own food products.
Through this, the youth and the households will plant vegetables in their homes and the harvests will either be consumed by them or they may sell to the provincial government, which has promised to buy.
People interested in taking part in KAAGAPAY, Silutan and Sato advised them to go to their Municipal Agriculture Office (MAGRO) to ask for seedlings or if they are in need of “luna”, a parcel of land for planting, they may coordinate with their Barangay Council or Municipal Officials.
