ORO YOUTH CODE of 2016 Brief

With the passage of RA 10742, also known as the SK Reform Law, LGUs are encouraged to improve and broaden their youth empowerment initiatives through the creation of the Local Youth Development Council and the Office for Youth Affairs and mandatory training for its officers.

As a proactive move to maximize this opportunity and with our desire to make Cagayan de Oro a leading city for youth empowerment innovation, the core group of the OYDC (created by E.O. 72-2014) proposes this local legislation designed to enhance and maximize youth participation in local governance.

Here are its basic features:

1.     Creation of the Oro Youth Development Office. This office basically serves as the coordinating and monitoring office for local youth concerns as articulated in the local youth development plan and sits as the secretariat for the Oro Youth Development Council.

2.     Institutionalization of the OYDC. The OYDC would now be a formal body within the government structure. It is composed or 21 members as provided for in the SK Reform Law. The law further provides that the SK are only allotted two seats in the council. The 19 others are allotted for youth organizations and youth serving organizations (youth sectors). The ordinance seeks to implement a sectoral-based representation in the OYDC. Here are the allocations:

a.      Three (3) from the In School youth sector

b.     Three (3) from the out of school youth sector

c.      Three (3) from the faith-based youth sector

d.     Three (4) from the special advocacy based youth sector

e.      Three (3) from community – based youth

f.       Three (3) from cultural identity- based youth

g.      Two (2) from the SK

3.     Creation of the Sectoral Chairmanship – The SK Law Mandates that the SK President would chair the OYDC. By virtue of the principle of local autonomy, the ordinance wishes to create a co-chairmanship. The Sectoral Chairperson (SC) shall be elected from the 19 youth representatives in the OYDC who shall co-chair with the SK President. The (SC) can call a meeting but with the concurrence of the SK President. The SK President shall generally preside over the meetings. The SC will have a term of one year and such election will be held during the yearly Oro Youth Leaders Convergence.

4.     Institutionalization of the Oro Youth Leaders Convergence. – the ordinance mandates the yearly convergence of all youth organization in the city. This is the venue where the OYDC officers can report their accomplishments and draw out recommendations and partnerships from various youth stakeholders.

5.     Appointment of SK alternative representatives in the various city committees and bodies. – The ordinance allows youth representation in the various city committees coming from the SK and Sectoral representatives.  

6.    Creation of the various youth sectors:

a)     Out-of-School-Youth shall refers to all youth of school age, whether organized or not, who are unable to avail of the formal school system or who have dropped out from formal elementary, secondary, tertiary and vocational education.

b)    In-School Youth shall refer to all youth of school age, whether organized or not, presently enrolled with any educational, vocational institution, which include but not limited to the following school organizations (academic or non-academic), student government, fraternities and sororities;

c)     Special Advocacy-Based Youth shall refer to any youth organization whose primary purpose is to serve youth with special needs namely, youth with disabilities, youth in situations of armed conflict, victims of natural disaster and calamities, youth offenders, delinquent youth, LGBT youth, drug depended youth, street youth, abused/exploited youth and abandoned/neglected youth;

d)    Faith-based Youth shall refer to all youth organizations organized under the rules and regulations of a religious institution and recognize by such. Its members are also exclusive members of the said church/sect/religious denomination. 

e)     The Cultural Identity-based youth shall refers to youth organizations whose primary purpose is to advance the cultural identity of the Moro and Indigenous peoples.

f)      Community Youth Organizations shall refers to organizations whose majority of membership are youth and might be based in educational institution but whose program are not solely for educational advancement or may be community based whose members are not all out-of-school youth.

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) 

Search for ‘Most Child-Friendly Police Station’ on

THE Oro Youth Development Council (OYDC) launched on Monday its “Search for Most Child-Friendly Police Station” in pursuit of a creative partnership with the country’s law enforcement for a sustainable standard in relation to children’s rights and welfare.

Teodoro Sabuga-a Jr., City Social Welfare and Development officer, said the search is in consonance with Cagayan de Oro’s distinction as one of the child-friendly cities in the country.

He said the endeavor of the OYDC to institutionalize the child-friendly distinction awarded to the city would encourage other government agencies to adhere to their standards and legal obligations mandated by both the domestic and international laws.

“The police as the first government institution that a child who is in conflict will first encounter, should be equipped with the standards on how to manage a delinquent child, and the their stations must be designed to accommodate them. It is in this context that public-private partnership is created to search and award police stations in the city that exemplifies child-friendliness not only in their operations but also in their physical design and interventions as mandated by law,” OYDC said in a statement.

Aside from OYDC, this project is made possible through the partnerships with the Kuya Fish Campaign, Kristohanong Katilingban sa Pagpakabana Social Involvement Office of Xavier University and the ABS-CBN Bata Foundation in the private sector, while the CSWD and the Department of Interior and Local Government representing the public sector.

The search would cover policy related areas such that whether a police station is compliant with child related laws, physical facilities, training of police officers, services, monitoring evaluation and research, and information and advocacy.

OYDC will announce and award the Most Child-Friendly Police Station on November 16.

3 Ways Local Government Units can maximize the New Sangguniang Kabataan

Like an unusual house party in installments, the SK reform advocates would party after each stage in the legislative process is secured in this seemingly slow-motion anti-climactic saga. The finish line means the enactment of the law. Now, we have come nearer to the finish line.

The other night, the House of Representatives approved in 3rd reading the SK Reform Bill. Facing 2nd reading is the toughest volley fire a bill has to face. If it survives, the third reading is seen as a mere formality and the law would swiftly breeze through a bicameral committee in order to reconcile the different versions of the Senate and House of Representatives.

Now going back to the bill, the basic features of the SK reform bill are the following: (a) the increase of age-bracket from 18-21 (b) the anti-political dynasty provisions (c) the mandatory training and skills training.

I do not wish to elaborate on the merits of the substance of the law and its wisdom. But I would like to draw an imaginative sketch of the opportunities each locality can reap once this bill becomes law of the land. I might be getting ahead of myself since after all it is still a bill. But I hope these points call help us desire and support the SK Reform.

1. The Academe and Civil Society can play a vital role in political formation.

The Academe and Civil Society Organizations (youth-serving) are essential stakeholders in the formation of future political leaders in the locality. Depending on their degree of community engagement, services from the academe and CSOs can be in the form of seminar-workshops, skills training, sharing of expertise/experience and mentorship appropriate for their age. Since the law does provide mandatory training, it would provide a fertile ground for private-public partnerships between the DILG, NYC in one hand and the NGOs and Private Institutions on the other.

Having a training conducted by non-government entities provide a valuable “third-party” perspective in governance. The academe as well can use its knowledge products to further form competent youth leaders.

2. The LGU can innovate through the creation of a youth council.

Setting our sight on Naga, a model of local good governance, we can see how their LGU was able to innovate the SK structure by creating a Youth Council. Through the Naga Youth Code, the first of its kind in the Republic, Naga city was able to mobilize other youth organizations and integrate them in the decision making process of the city.

The youth organizations are organized through sectors namely: In-school youth, out-of-school youth, professional youth, faith-based youth and youth with special needs. The SK Chairperson automatically sits as the chair of the council together with a yearly-elected Youth City Mayor as co-chair (reminiscent of the two consuls of the Roman Republic) who is chosen by the sectoral youth representatives. The Youth Code also mandates a yearly City-wide Youth Congress and election of sectoral representatives.

3. Weakening patrimonial bonds means an opportunity to build local ideology-based political parties

The combination of a deepening first-hand government experience and political education by the academe can sharpen and deepen the political consciousness of these SK leaders. This could help them do social analysis outside their bureaucratic experience and allow them see the differences between politics as a set of action based on principle from politics that is veiled with “ideas” but essentially formed to serve kin or family interests.

This gives them better appreciation of the consequences of their career choices. They could either fall into the same patronage trap our politics has been excellent in perpetuating, or choose alternative routes of public service such as grassroots ideology based movements and enter other progressive organizations.

Considering that a number of local politicians now are products of the SK system before, this is an opportune time to remake the SK to produce better, competent, innovative, systems-thinking leaders dedicated to build a true modern Philippine State.

These points I hope can bring in a new fresh spirit in how we build politics in the local-level. The product of our politics is felt most real and compelling in our own communities. If we could start building an army of progressive young leaders who are dedicated in building a modern city, we look forward to see our locality shining on top of a hill.

Official Statement: Tuition Fee Increases in Region X

We have seen another wave of tuition fee increases in the region for the incoming school year as seen in the table below. This has in effect made higher education a more expensive investment especially for the greater mass of people.

While we understand the economic reality requires the school to meet the cost to sustain operations, we are also mindful of the important legal obligations that school has to meet:

In response to this reality and under the guidance of youth development agenda, the Oro Youth Development Council calls on the following:

1. The school administration to earnestly conduct in-depth and substantive consultations – not just for show or for meeting paper requirements –particularly with the student governments on the matter of the increases and provide alternative options for sectors within the school community that could not afford the increase. This should be done in earnest in the next round for the preparation of the school’s budget plan.

2. Considering that inflation is an economic reality, The CHED and Local Government should therefore meet this growing cost with growing scholarship opportunities and other forms of educational assistance. The LGU should strengthen the distribution of these services which should be merit based and needs based. Politically motivated pattern of disbursing these services should be eliminated in the process. A multi-sectoral and independent body should be created to monitor these educational assistance programs.

3. Lastly, the student government should organize and exert greater influence in the deliberation processes in matters of tuition fee increases. Examine and scrutinize the budget plan and see where the increases are going. If seen as just and reasonable, promote greater transparency and greater access to scholarship programs. If seen as oppressive and unjust, do not hesitate to demonstrate your capacity and power to voice out and act on your right to affordable education.

People Power in the Barangay: CDO's Barangay 32

by Alain Roy Miego Romero
Let the ‪#‎liberation from TraPos begin in the grassroots!

It is not easy turning the 'tatsulok'. There will come a point that ignorant people will contest your motion and even arrive at a point where you are disrespected. But regardless of having been interrupted by a relative of an official while I was reading the proposed rules of procedure and order of our barangay assembly, calmness and humility triumphed over me (fact, I am a short-tempered person). Then I thought, "I have the majority as my sword and shield and no matter what the opposing side utter, we have the reciprocity of the majority to back everyone up in the alliance".

Aside from turning the 'tatsulok', we also turned the mindset of the people in the Barangay Assembly. That the assembly was an avenue for gathering information, realizing issues/concerns and doing appropriate actions as per resolution of the assembly. Further, the barangay assembly is the highest deliberative body of a barangay and of course, by common sense, it should be treated as such - making appropriate treatment befitting its role as the highest authority. Reflecting from the experience, it was not a regret to oppose the status quo during barangay assemblies - reporting and asking/answering questions then nothing else follows. I am reminded of a quote, "The absence and silence of good men will pave a way for evil to manifest and triumph".

THE CHALLENGE
When you plan to turn the tide, one should gain the people's hearts but not everyone knows you. It was quite a challenge for our reform team. Not to mention the short span of time to prepare, the challenge of within that span of time you also have to gain the approval of the residents or convince them to attend at least. This was very crucial. In fact, we only based our 'ally count' on trust among the influence of the core group members - we are blind of how many will support our cause.

THE UNCERTAINTY
There, we convened together with our allies (with uncertainty if they are really our allies). All of them found their seats but the core members of the reform team were quite anxious. So they were not settled in their seats. As for me, I was one with them as well. I found myself in the company of balut vendors and pedicab drivers. We were chatting on issues of concern, the imminent demolition of a certain purok in our barangay among other issues raised. I finally settled, standing, when the preliminary ceremony was delivered.

THE MOVE
After the prayer and national anthem, all were settled. Our barangay then calls for the order of the assembly. Then a realization comes to mind. I may not be able to get the support of the people if I were to deliver as an additional agenda the reforms we've got. So as the chance of calling the assembly out of order - and I really burst out to the crowd that the assembly is OUT OF ORDER. "How can you call to order the barangay assembly, the highest deliberative body of the barangay, when there are no rules of procedure and order to begin with". Then the deafening sound of silence filled the air. "Dili unta ni basta-bastahon ang asembleya. Kay walay mahitabo kung puro rata ani sa tradisyon o naandan - report dayon question and answer portion then wala na, walay output", translating what I uttered next. Surprisingly, the barangay council was not ready for this kind of things. I saw their innocence as an ignorance of the capabilities of their constituents. This was my advantage. Imminently, the reform group received the assemblies' support and affirmed by the Barangay Chairman. I recall he said "Oo, dapat ani manjud ang asembleya. Naanad manjud ta sa una. Pero maayo kini."

THE FOLLOWING EVENTS
-Reading of the proposed rules of procedure and order;
-Q&A, amendment - adoption of proposed rules;
-Call to order;
-Barangay Reports
-Q&A - Barangay reports;
-Suspension/recess;
-Drafting of resolutions;

THE FRUITS OF OUR MOVEMENT
The assembly came up with two (2) resolutions, (a) for the adopting of the rules and (b) to address the concerns of the assembly; among them were directing the barangay council to issue a resolution requesting the private owner of the lot give a road-right-of-way for humanitarian purposes and requesting certain families to give alternative routes from accessing the main road and serving as exits for emergencies. The assembly also had to draft these barangay resolutions.

STATUS ON DRAFTS
-Assembly Resolution 1: adopting the assembly rules (ADOPTED/SIGNED);
-Assembly Resolution 2: addressing the concerns of the assembly; alternative route, road-right-of-way request, BDC additional members, RA 10656 implementation, People's Charter, Productive use of the internet for transparency purposes and other items for addressing concerns (FURTHER AMENDING);
-Barangay Resolution on adopting Assembly resolution 1 and 2 and requesting certain families for an alternative route/way (PENDING/FOR SIGNING); and
-Barangay Resolution on requesting road-right-of-way (PENDING/FOR SIGNING)

OUR COMMITMENT
Serve as an unwavering force in the search for truth, promotion of fraternity and upholding the dignity of the most vulnerable.

Photo album: https://www.facebook.com/alainroyromero/media_set…

‪#‎BarangayAssemblyDay

Youth Power in Growing Cities: 1st Year of OYDC

Today marks the first year anniversary of the constitution of the Oro Youth Development Council. It was exactly a year ago when youth leaders from different sectors in Cagayan de Oro City converged in the 1^st Oro Youth Leaders Convergence, articulated their concerns, planned their actions, and elected their core officers.

This social innovation project came at the most appropriate time. The Sangguniang Kabataan was suspended following years of debate about its relevance and viability. This suspension undoubtedly created a void in youth representation in our local governance processes. This came then as an opportunity for a small group of good governance advocates to propose a participatory mechanism where youth organizations from different sectors and fields can come together and directly exchange views and mobilize action on governance matters important to the youth.  

After a series of meetings with local government officers, the OYDC came to be with the election of the core officers and the issuance of Executive Order 72-2014.

This was the official start of an extra-ordinary journey. This leadership journey has led us to meaningful local policy victories, public recognition, and far-reaching partnerships with national agencies, NGOs and even international organizations. This experience, being also political in nature, became a social laboratory – a sort of on-the-job learning experience, which has allowed us to confront people in power and also partner with them in our developmental goals.  

In its 1^st year of existence, these are the major highlights of the Oro Youth Development Council:

Advocacy Forums/ OYDC Youth Speak: Much of the work of the OYDC centers around issue discussion among students and youth leaders. In the past year, we have organized forums which tackled the topics on the Freedom of Information Law, The Bangsamoro Basic Law, The Diversity of Human Rights: the LGBT Perspective, Youth and Leadership, Reproductive Health, Youth Political Education and Solid Waste Management. The OYDC sees that these discussion points are essential in raising the level of awareness among the youth. Actionable information would then lead to social mobilization among the different youth groups. These advocacy forums were made possible by the partnerships with different institutions such as the National Youth Commission, Ayala Foundation, Muslim Youth Council, Xavier University Governance and Leadership Institute, KKP-SIO, The Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro, the United Nations Development Program, Departmetn of Education, CLENRO, CSWD, City Health, and Office of the City Mayor among others.  

Local Policy Victories:  In this front, the OYDC has tackled 4 major issues.

The first one is the removal of the “physically-fit requirement” clause in the City Scholarship Program. This was removed to erase doubts that persons with disabilities are not eligible for the scholarship program.

Secondly, the OYDC also engaged the City Council in the approval of the Farm-to-Market road subsidy issue, which was marred by political controversy. Moreover, this gave us an opportunity to talk face-to-face with the Councilor tasked for this and both sides were able to layout their cards. The OYDC got media mileage over this engagement, which highlighted its status as a citizen advocacy group. The Farm-to-Market road subsidy was then approved late 2014.

Thirdly, the OYDC also barged into the forefront of the 2015 Budget controversy after the OYDC and PYAP programs were slashed to zero. The youth groups mobilized and protested the cuts early January which has brought resentment from opposing political groups but where joined and praised by community organizations, civil society and much of the organized youth sectors. This youth-led protest literally led the way for a series of protests designed to galvanize the public and pressure the city council to approve the proposed 2015 budget. However, the action in the streets now became a battle in the courts. We have yet to see the resolution of this controversy be it political or legal. In the meantime, OYDC has provided a blog site where the budget is posted and compared. It also published the full budget of the Special Education Fund.

Lastly, the OYDC drafted and championed the adoption of the Barangay Youth Code. This proposed legislation gave legal basis for the different youth barangay federations growing after the suspension of the SK. Major barangays have already adopted the ordinance and others are still in the process. This hopefully would highlight the important role of the youth in not only organizing events but in actual policy-making.

Representation: one of the key features of the OYDC is its participation in the different special bodies of the local government unit. At present, the OYDC is active in the Local School Boar, the Solid Waste Management Council, the Council for the protection of Children, the Search for Child-friendly Barangay, the Search for Best Barangay Lupon, Development and Security Council, the Abot Alam Task Force, Anti-drug Abuse Council, Persons with Disability Council and the Regulatory and Complaints Board.  Through these bodies, the OYDC gets direct access to policy-making and policy-implementation. The individual efforts of different youth organizations get amplified through this body and allows coordinated interventions. The OYDC also represented the youth sector in the United Nations Habitat and Future Cities program and other national conventions. It is also part of the board in the newly constituted People’s Council of Cagayan de Oro.

Services: the OYDC through its community networks also helped in referring out-of-school youth to scholarships and job openings. This is a yearlong activity. The Faith-based sector of the OYDC also integrated its faith formation and life coaching services to the City Scholarship program. During the two summers, the OYDC supervised and managed 125 SPES beneficiaries whose work included a community survey and service. In the community level, OYDC also gives capacity-building trainings as well as basic organizing skills to community-based organizations.

Moving Forward

Seeing the future, the OYDC sees its existence as a transitional body. 

The Local Youth Development and Empowerment Bill is set to replace the SK and once this becomes law, we shall transition to become a youth advocacy NGO. This bill is set to create a Local Youth Development Council which is similar to that of the OYDC. This body is composed of representatives from several youth sectors including the SK.

It removes from the SK the sole power to represent the youth sector in the legislative body. It empowers the body to elect a chairperson among themselves who has a one-year term. This chairperson ipso facto becomes the youth representative in the local legislative council. Therefore, a President of a student government or a leader of the Parish youth can become a local legislator for a year. This is more inclusive and empowering than the SK system we have grown accustomed to.

The OYDC fully supports the passage of this bill. In the meantime, the OYDC in its second year is gearing up to take on legislation lobbying. In the pipelines, the OYDC seeks to propose policies nurtured by the forums it organized during its first year. Among these are the passage of the Students’ Rights and Welfare Ordinance, the Anti-discrimination Ordinance and the Freedom of Information Ordinance.

Synthesis

In its first year, OYDC has somehow laid the impression that the youth, if given the formal opportunity to participate, can concretely contribute to the strengthening of our public institutions. The unfolding story of the OYDC hopes to serve as an alternative model for youth empowerment where existing organized youth groups, which are more cohesive, grounded and neutral, are given the tools to widen their advocacy and given a seat at the table of policy-making. In the long run, we hope that this can spur a culture of engaged citizenship among the young and a sense of communal ownership of the solutions as well as the challenges of the community. This is our attempt to make our public institutions more inclusive by giving a youth leader from a far-flung barangay an equal chance as a student leader from a university to sit at the table of policy-making. This is our attempt to make real the constitutional declaration that the youth is vital in nation-building. Let us all start with our local government unit – the closest to the people.