DAVAO ORIENTAL – As part of the provincial administration’s thrust to reduce and ultimately defeat poverty, Governor Corazon N. Malanyaon urged the youth sector to actively contribute to the provincial government’s priority programs, recognizing the crucial role the youth play in nation-building.

During the culmination of the Linggo ng Kabataan Youth Leaders Convergence on August 31, 2022, at the Provincial Capitol, Governor Malanyaon lauded the youth leaders and the members of various youth organizations for actively participating in “worthy undertakings” such as the Linggo ng Kabataan.

Aside from the conduct of activities, entertainment, and other events, Governor Malanyaon stressed that youth leaders and all the youth organizations should also focus on development efforts.

Governor Malanyaon challenged the youth to complement the province’s efforts by engaging in initiatives that would encourage people, especially the youth in engaging on enterprising and livelihood activities. She also mentioned providing livelihood programs, especially for the out-of-school youth.

“Poverty alleviation is not only the responsibility of the government or one sector. The responsibility lies in all of us. All sectors in all generations should be involved in defeating poverty,” Governor Malanyaon noted that all of the province’s programs are designed to achieve the goals of reducing poverty.

“I have so much trust with the youth’s dynamism in terms of skills, talent, efforts, and ideas on how best these goals can be achieved,” said the Governor, as she expressed her hope for the youth and all other sectors to follow the same direction in the effort of improving people’s lives.

The Local Youth Development Council, headed by Provincial Local Youth Development Officer Van Jorain Rufin with the provincial Sangguniang Kabataan Federated President, Board Member

Ronald Lara Jr. acknowledged the heartfelt intentions of Governor Malanyaon as they vowed their commitment to lead the youth in being a part of the province’s journey in defeating poverty.

Along this line, the series of activities conducted during the Linggo ng Kabataan was centered on the entrepreneurial seminar and honing leadership skills to help the youth realize their roles in impacting their communities.

Intergenerational Solidarity

With its theme: “Intergenerational Solidarity: Creating a World for All Ages,” Governor Malanyaon stressed that all generations should coordinate and work together to achieve the society’s shared goals. She stressed how ‘one is useless without the other as young dynamism should also be coated with the wisdom of the old – if knitted together, it becomes a greater force.’

Furthermore, Governor Malanyaon pushes for the involvement and participation of the youth in all decision-making in the government. She said this will give the youth sector a voice to solidify the call for unity in bringing all generations and sectors together, thus, reducing conflict and encouraging a helping hand for the common good of the people.

Moreover, Governor Malanyaon also vowed to implement strategies to improve education to equip the youth with knowledge and skills that will benefit them and their communities. By Mark Oliver Alvite