In line with the aim of Governor Imee R. Marcos to see youth services and involvement grow in the province, the Provincial Government through the Ilocos Norte Youth Development Office (INYDO) will create City and Municipal Youth Development Offices (C/MYDOs).
INYDO was formerly the Sirib Youth Office (SYO). Sirib was renamed INYDO through Provincial Ordinance No. 2016-07-004 sponsored by Senior Board Member Matthew Marcos Manotoc.
The same ordinance provides the creation of C/MYDOs, which, if under a local government unit (LGU) with sufficient funds, “can be a separate department with divisions and units for policy and planning, administration and finance, and programs and operations.”
Otherwise, they will be put under the office of the local chief executive, office of planning and development, office of social welfare, or any other office so deemed appropriate.
The ordinance falls under the objective of Republic Act No. 10742, or the Sangguniang Kabataan Reform Act of 2015, which states that “there shall be in every province, city, and municipality a Youth Development Office which shall be headed by a youth development officer with the rank of at least division chief.”
In Ilocos Norte, the former SYO had already been established as an official Capitol department in April 2014 through Executive Order No. 226-14, more than a year before the aforementioned RA. It had stemmed from the Governor’s flagship program for the youth, Sirib Express.
The youth offices together shall provide learning opportunities; promote holistic well-being; encourage sports, the arts, and cultural development; and inculcate financial education and work ethics.
In addition, the offices will aim to unlock the youth’s capacities and spirit of leadership, nationalism, and patriotism; develop morals and values of honesty, respect, and love of fellowmen; and heighten their awareness and concern for the environment.
Gov. Marcos had told the Ilocano youth, “We are one family indeed that will seek to help you as best we can… The future is in your hands, and in your good hands, the future is safe, secure, and progressive.”
On funding, Manotoc shared that “initially, the province will set it up, and then eventually it has to be self-sustaining, so it will end up coming from the city or municipal government itself.”
Setting up and creation of the C/MYDOs is expected “before the end of this year,” said Manotoc. (Mizpah Grace G. Castro, PGIN-CMO)
