Talisay, Naga models of DSWD program for youth

CEBU, Philippines -  The Department of Social Welfare and Development-7 named Talisay City and the City of Naga as successful implementers of the Unlad Kabataan Program for the out-of-school youth.

Eppie Partosa, the youth focal person of the DSWD-7, said the two cities are concrete models of the program because they implemented the project well and discovered the talents and skills of the youth.

In a forum held during the seventh year anniversary of the UKP, Partosa explained that Unlad Kabataan Program for youth is geared towards the total development of the disadvantaged youth who have special needs.

Lowella Vestil, focal person on youth program in Talisay City, told The FREEMAN that the city government and DSWD are ready to provide technical assistance and capability building to the various youth service providers for them to enhance their understanding and effectiveness in taking action to help the out-of-school youth express what they want, secure their rights, represent their interests and obtain the services they need.

There are 2,127 combined out-of-school youth in the city but 528 of them are inactive, Vestil said.

In the City of Naga, there are 724 members.

Vestil added that the program is a holistic approach organized in Talisay's 22 barangays.

"Ang atong mga out of school youth sa Talisay active man gyud. In fact, naa na gani nila nagtrabaho ug maayo na og pagkabutang kay nagkapamilya naman pud (Talisay City out-of-school youth are actually active. Some of them already have jobs while others have settled down with their families)," Vestil said.

She added that the out-of-school youth also undergo skills trainings for free through the continuity of a manpower development program on technical and vocational skills trainings.

UKP is a program of the DSWD, together with the Social Welfare and Development Office, which aims to help the out-of-school youth and other disadvantaged youth to become self-reliant, economically productive and socially responsible citizens able to contribute to the development of their family and community.  (FREEMAN)