The youth plays a vital role in our society and in our nation as a whole. It is believed that they are the “hope of our future.” In fact, youth is considered as the key sector in nation-building as recognized by our country, in which  legislations are made to provide spaces of engagement for the young people in the policy-making and program implementations that will cater to their interests and welfare, uphold their virtues and values, and strengthen their integrity and well-being in becoming a well-developed individuals. However, not all youth are aware of this role that they have. Not all youth enjoy the benefits of being involved in the different youth programs and activities provided by the government and other concerned agencies. Only a few of them have known that the issues revolving around our country are greatly affecting them in all aspects of living.

With the existing Youth Development programs of the National Youth Commission (NYC), it is suitable to promote the different youth programs of the government and other organizations in order to mainstream youth programs and emphasizing the importance of youth engagement in the governance. Also, through the Strengthening Decentralized Governance Project of CODE-NGO, the Central Visayas Network of NGOS (CENVISNET), Inc. would like to ensure that the voices and representations of the youth will be realized and implemented out of approved Regional Youth Development Agenda of Region 7. Hence, the Regional Youth Advisory Council in Region VII (RYAC-VII) in which CENVISNET is an active member of, commits to provide an avenue for the youth from the different parts of the Province of Cebu to be linked with the different government agencies, youth organizations, local government units, and youth-serving organizations in Region 7 through the First Provincial Youth Fair. It is a 1-day event that will bring youth from different parts of the province to be exposed with the participating government agencies and other stakeholders with their different youth programs and projects.

Last April 26, 2017, the first ever Provincial Youth Fair in the Philippines was implemented. There were almost 1000 youth who attended the Youth Fair and almost all agencies were present to celebrate the importance of the youth in nation-building. There were several speakers who discussed the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Reform Act of 2015, the Philippines Youth Development Plan and other youth programs of the different agencies like Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and many more. There were also youth organizations who presented their best practices as part of championing the initiative of the youth for social development. Moreover, Cebuano youth talents were also showcased during the said Youth Fair. The Highlight of the event was the signing of the Declaration of Commitment of the different members of RYAC VII, manifesting their voice and committing themselves to pursue genuine youth participation in local governance.  It is expected that this provincial youth fair will continue and be replicated in the provinces of Bohol, Siquijor and Negros Oriental as planned and discussed, as part of the different activities of RYAC VII.

Mary Rose Malay is the Regional Project Officer of CENVISNET.