Comprehensive Code for Youth OKd

TO institutionalize youth participation in the local government, and in recognition of the diversity of the youth sector, the 18th City Council during its 70th regular session Monday presided over by Vice Mayor Raineir Joaquin V. Uy, enacted an ordinance providing for the Comprehensive Code for the Youth of Cagayan de Oro City.

This is in accordance with Republic Act No. 10742, also known as the Sangguniang Kabataan Reform Act of 2015, which introduced innovations such as the institutionalization of a local youth development council, creation of a youth affairs office, establishment of mandatory training and provision of an anti-political dynasty provision, among others.

The ordinance is also in line with the declared policy of the city to promote and protect the physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual, cultural and social well-being of the Kagayanon youth and to inculcate in them values of patriotism and nationalism and to encourage their involvement in public and civic affairs of the city.

The Comprehensive Code provides for the creation of the Oro Youth Development Council (OYDC) to ensure the wide and multi-sectoral youth participation in local governance.

The OYDC shall be headed by the concerned Pederasyon ng SK President, co-chaired by the Sectoral Chairperson. It shall be composed of representatives of youth and youth-serving organizations in the city level.

It shall assist in the planning and execution of projects and programs of its member organizations, the SK, and the Pederasyon in all levels.

The ordinance also provides for the creation of the Cagayan de Oro Youth Development Office, which shall be housed within the operating structure of the Oro Youth Center. Its functions include the registration and verification of youth and youth-serving organizations.

It shall also provide technical assistance to the OYDC in the formulation of the Local Youth Development Plan (LYDP), facilitate the election of the OYDC representatives and serve as secretariat to the OYDC. It shall also conduct the mandatory and continuing training of the SK Officials and OYDC members, in accordance with the programs jointly designed and implemented by the Commission and the DILG, among others.

The legislation was reviewed by the committees on sports and youth development and on laws and rules respectively chaired by Councilors Jay R. Pascual and Ian Mark Q. Nacaya. (JAO)