Sen. Bam pushes LGUs to work with, prioritize Filipino youth

To push for better, more responsive and more innovative governance, Sen. Bam Aquino is encouraging local government units (LGUs) to work with youth leaders and their organizations.

In his amendment to Senate Bill No. 1843 or the Seal of Good Local Governance Act, Sen. Bam wants LGUs to establish youth development programs to ensure the meaningful participation of the youth in nation building.

The senator said LGUs must develop enabling mechanisms and support systems to boost the involvement of the youth in governance.

In his amendment, Sen. Bam has batted for the establishment of a Local Youth Development Council and a Youth Development Office in all LGUs, they can institute policies and programs geared to mold the youth into successful and kind-hearted citizens.

"Bilang mga kinabukasan ng bayan, bigyan natin ng sapat na pagkakataon ang mga kabataan na makilahok sa pagpapatakbo ng pamahalaan at sa pagpapaunlad ng lipunan," said Sen. Bam, who thanked Sen. Sonny Angara for accepting his amendments to the measure.

Being a former youth leader and Chairman of the National Youth Commission, Sen. Bam is a known advocate of youth empowerment, pushing for enactment of laws that focus on the welfare of the youth.

Among them is the SK Reform Act, which Sen. Bam pushed as co-sponsor and co-author. Also, Sen. Bam worked for the passage of Republic Act 10679 or the Youth Entrepreneurship Act during his term as chairman of the Committee on Trade, Commerce and Entrepreneurship in the 16th Congress.

The law encourages young would-be entrepreneurs to establish their own business by providing them access to capital and other support. It also creates financial literacy modules in all levels of Philippine education, to inculcate a culture of enterprise development among the Filipino youth.