The National Youth Commission (NYC) is bringing its services closer to the youth of Central Luzon and Cagayan Valley through the inauguration of its Pampanga Area Office.

NYC Executive Director Leah Villalon highlighted that the regional headquarters connecting the five provinces of Region 2 and seven provinces of Region 3 is an opportunity to be closer to the youth and gradually fulfill the dreams of the commission for the Filipinos.

“Amid the various challenges the COVID-19 pandemic has brought into our lives, we at NYC, remain strong and steadfast to continue what we have started, and chase what we want to pursue for the welfare, and most of all, the future of the Filipino children. Our hope of improving our services to the youth has always been planted inside our hearts and our emotions,” she said.

The office will serve as a youth-centered agency that will advocate policies on youth protection and participation; build and sustain partnership and networks between the youth and the government; and foster youth participation in community development and good governance.

In addition, NYC Presidential Staff Officer Robert Lee Silva called on the youth sector to support the commission’s development policies and programs geared to capacitate enabled, involved, and patriotic young people.

“NYC is here so that anytime and anywhere, whatever the needs and demands of the Filipino youth, we will be able to bring them closer not only in their barangays, municipalities, and cities, but to the national agencies as well. We will help you send your messages by bringing you closer to the government,” he said.

He in turn encouraged the barangays, municipalities, cities, and provinces to craft their Local Youth Development Plans to further strengthen the support to the programs, projects, and activities (PPAs) of their respective Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Federations.

With this, City of San Fernando SK Federation President Gustav Henson emphasized that the opening of the Pampanga headquarters means more accessible services from the NYC, and a more focused connection between the national government and the SK federations in terms of support to their PPAs.

“Expect the utmost support of the City of San Fernando SK Federation, and the whole province of Pampanga, so that you could provide more services to the young ones, especially that we are battling the pandemic. We need this, especially with the upcoming 2022 Elections because the youth has a big role to play in this occasion,” he furthered.

The public may reach the NYC Pampanga Area Office at 0929-575-0350 or 0977-259-7995. (PIA 3)