OYDC receives recognition from Simbahang Lingkod Ng Bayan

THIS IS GRACE. In behalf of all the leaders that compose the Oro Youth Development Council, I would like to thank the

Simbahang Lingkod Ng Bayan, the social involvement arm of the Society of Jesus for recognizing our humble efforts here in Cagayan de Oro City. On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the EDSA 1 Revolution, various organizations who push the spirit of people power into the fields of governance and community work were recognized at the Ateneo on February 24, 2016. The award was received by the Vice-chairman and co-founder Sean Jared Roldan Lastimoso, a law student and community organizer.

Our effort here in Cagayan de Oro City is part of broader national effort of increasing people’s participation in governance and mobilizing young people to advocate and participate in the decision making process. We are very grateful of the openness of the local government unit and the fruitful partnerships we have established with the civil society organizations, the academe and the church. This has provided many youth organizational leaders with actual experience in committee meetings, outlining policy direction, protesting to some extent, and appreciating the over-all complexity of managing a society in the lens of local governance.

As we transition to the newly reformed Sangguniang Kabataan, we are very happy that our experience in CDO has contributed to the rich discourse in developing alternative modes of youth participation. I am just joyful that all the theories we learned in school and the ideals that we write in paper can actually be transformed into concrete work that can make a difference in the lives of people. AMDG

(Statement by Ernesto B. Neri, Chairperson of the Oro Youth Development Council)