Padilla wants Nat’l Youth Commission to spread gov’t stand on various issues

Senator Robin Padilla interpellates during the Senate committee on youth hearing on youth development programs on Thursday, September 1 at the Senate. Screengrab from Senate of the Philippines YouTube

MANILA, Philippines — The National Youth Commission (NYC) should spread to the youth the government’s stand on various issues, Senator Robin Padilla urged on Thursday.

During the Senate committee on youth hearing, Padilla asked NYC Executive Director Leah Villalon if they are partnering with the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) to disseminate the government’s stand on activism and armed conflict, among other issues.

“Ako, wala naman akong ano sa mga aktibista. Ok lang ‘yan, ‘wag ka lang humawak ng armas, du’n tayo magkakatalo,” Padilla said.

(I do not have anything against activists. That is ok, just do not take up arms, we will have a problem with that.)

“Pero doon sa usapin ng balansehin, hindi ba kayo dapat makipag-coordinate sa SK diyan? Meron ba kayong coordination ng SK?” he quizzed.

(But on the issue of balance, shouldn’t you coordinate with the SK on that? Do you have coordination?)

Villalon replied in the affirmative.

Padilla further said: “Napakaraming kabataan ang napupunta sa armadong pakikibaka. Ang concern ko lang, sana mapalawak ninyo ‘yung ganu’ng klaseng mga talakayan na naipapaliwanag ng National Youth Commission kung ano ang stand ng gobyerno.”

(Many youths are brought to armed conflict. My concern, I hope you widen those talks that explain the government’s stand.)

The neophyte senator recalled that he used to have sentiments against the government, which faded when he entered politics.

“Nung wala pa ‘ko sa gobyerno, ang dami kong hinaing laban sa gobyerno. Ngayon na nasa gobyerno ‘ko, nakita ko ang daming programa ng gobyernong napakagaganda,” he said.

(Before, when I was not in government, I had many grievances against the government. However, now that I’m in the government, I saw that many government projects are good.)

Padilla noted that NYC is the best agency to transmit the government’s programs to the youth.

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JPV