Nabunturan, Davao de Oro --- In a momentous event that embodies the spirit of civic engagement and empowerment among young individuals, thirty-seven (37) youths in various municipalities of the province set the stage for a new era of leadership and community involvement as they affirm as Junior Youth Public Officials (JYPOs) during the Oath-Taking Ceremony, today, August 22.
Governor Dorothy Montejo-Gonzaga administered the oath-taking event at the Provincial Capitol Grounds, Nabunturan, during the Convocation program of the employees and officials.
"This is also our surest way for you to be inspired to soon be involved in government service, pinaagi sa pag apil sa mga programa ug labaw mas maayu kung kamo gyud mismo maoy mamahimo na mag hupot sa mga posisyon in the near future", expressed Governor Gonzaga in her weekly message.
Governor Gonzaga added that "this activity is really gearing toward their genuine appreciation of the tasks and functions sa tagsa-tagsa ka mga department heads, appointive officials, ug mas labaw na sa atong elective officials".
Meanwhile, Sangguniang Kabataan Federation President Charlemagne B. Bautista said in his address that today marked the third day of their journey as delegates representing various departments and officials within the provincial government.
These young individuals displayed exceptional performance during the thorough screening and examination, leading in their selection as JYPOs based on the result released by the Sangguniang Kabataan - Davao de Oro FB page on August 17.
"We would like to encourage our officials and different heads of offices to warmly welcome and guide your equivalent Junior Youth Official as they engage themselves in quality public service and bureaucratic leadership," said SKFP Bautista.
Additionally, the JYPOs 9-day emergence in the provincial government started last Sunday, August 20, during the convergence and orientation at the Activity Hall, Provincial Capitol. Their engagement is set to wrap up on Monday, August 28.
The election, appointment, and installation of these young officials were part of the International Youth Day and Linggo ng Kabataan 2023 celebration with the theme "Green Skills for Youth: Towards a Sustainable Youth," as this was also supported by Section 8 of Provincial Ordinance No. 94-2022 that specifies the annual election of young officials on the first day of the Linggo ng Kabataan Celebration.
With the efforts of the Panlalawigang Pederasyon ng Sangguniang Kabataan with the support from the Governor, Department of the Interior and Local Government, PSWDO-Youth Development Division, and SK-Davao de Oro, the undertaking stands as the province's commitment to nurturing the next generation of leaders which not only highlighted the importance of active youth participation in governance but also exemplified the passing of the torch to a generation poised to shape the future of the province. (Jaynus Fernandez)
