Aiming to influence and educate the youth, the Bacolod Youth Coalition for Democracy (BaCoD) officially released to the public its Local Youth Agenda at the Hulot sang Pamatan-on at the Negros First Cyber Center in Bacolod City, Friday, April 8.
Prior to administering the project BaCoD conducted a month-long consultation, alongside partnered organizations from various sectors, a press release from the group said.
BaCod networks and volunteers head, John Dyrick Dormis, spearheaded the assembly along with the Negrosanon Young Leaders Institute Inc., Youth Empowering Youth Initiative Inc., Philippine Youth Network for Interfaith Dialogue, Humanist Alliance Philippines International, and Youth for Climate Hope.
The main purpose of the project is to engage the youth to be in an action-driven dialog, especially during the election period, so they can air their major calls to action, Dormis said at the launching.
He said they aim to introduce the Local Youth Agenda to youth development councils so that the programs, projects and activities of the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) federation will be more issue-based and action-driven.
The Diocesian Commission on Youth, Youth Servant Leadership and Education Program of the Social Action Center-Diocese of Bacolod, University of the Philippines Negrense, Carlo Bais and Mark Carlos Imperial of the University of St. La Salle, and Yuval Adera of University of Negros Occidental Recoletos, shared their insights and recommendations for the education sector on Feb. 19, he said.
The Mental Health Negros, Amlig, Young Pharmacist Group Philippines, and Colegio San Agustin Bacolod elaborated on their professional medical literacy and expertise for the health sector on Feb. 19.
Inputs of the fisherfolk and coastal areas sector were given by the Anak Dagat and Magsungay Youth Fisherfolk Association on Feb. 26.
Inputs on sexual orientation, gender identity expression and sexual and reproductive health rights, climate justice, and agriculture were also given thought by the NYLI and Bagani by LoveYourself, Linghod and Y4CH, alongside the Young Farmers Association and Ilijan Youth Association on March 4 and 6.
BaCoD officials also highlighted that their next objective is to work with other voter education initiatives through their youth organization networks, particularly during the campaign period.*