Dad wants to keep tabs on out-of-school youth

CEBU, Philippines - In support of the national program of the National Youth Commission, Cebu City should document and collate data on out-of-school youths within its jurisdiction.

The NYC program dubbed “Abot Alam” targets out-of-school youths aged 16 to 30 years to encourage them to return to school.

This is what Cebu City Vice Mayor-elect and outgoing Councilor Edgar Labella said in his proposed resolution to be deliberated and discussed in this week’s legislative session.

According to the resolution closely based on the NYC program, those OSY who have not graduated from elementary and high school will be urged by the government to pursue either formal or alternative learning.

“Abot Alam” is a three-year program aimed at obtaining comprehensive data on OSYs down to the barangay level.

Tasked coordinators are barangay captains and Sangguniang Kabataan officials who will collect data ensuring more accurate information.

Once done, the profiled list will be forwarded to the Department of Education, Commission on Higher Education or Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.

These agencies will then determine the kind of learning suitable for an OSY, whether formal or technical learning.

There are approximately four million out-of-school youths in the Philippines. —/BRP (FREEMAN)