PGIN taps youth volunteerism

Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos listens to the interests and needs of students from Ilocos Norte Agricultural College in the town of Pasuquin on the launching of "Manang Imee's Sirib Express" November 22. "Sirib Express" is a roving one-stop shop to seek intervention and provide assistance to high school and college students, out-of-school youths, and job-seeking graduates. (PGIN-CMO)

By Leilanie G. Adriano

Staff Reporter

In this time of new media when the youth spend most of their time playing online or actively participating in social networking sites within the comfort of their homes, if not in the school or just roaming around, how do you engage them and make their presence felt in local government?

It’s simple. The Ilocos Norte government has the answer.

For the first time in history, the Ilocos Norte government converged a gathering of youth leaders and volunteers aged 15 to 29 around the province on November 22, primarily to hear their voice and how can the provincial government help them.

Other than a few beneficiaries of educational scholarship programs and usual conduct of sports activities and educational tour, the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) is known for, the Sirib Express, an exclusive youth-oriented program of the provincial government under the administration of Ilocos Norte Gov. Ma. Imelda “Imee” R. Marcos which kicked on November 22 at the Ilocos Norte Agricultural College (INAC).

It primarily aims to engage their active participation and help the provincial government in its effort to empower the youth sector and harness their potential in nation building.

“Sirib” is an Iluko term which means knowledge. The Sirib express is meant for the education development in the province through though the establishment of its own programs to assess the needs and create opportunities for out-of-school youths, indigents and job-seeking graduates.

Also, the Sirib Express was incepted following the successful conduct of “Capitol Express”, a roving one-stop shop in support of the province’s localize Millennium Development Goals program, aiming to bring in government frontline services closer to people even in rural areas.

Students from Ilocos Norte Agricultural College, led by Girlie Menor, Supreme Student Government President (second from left), have a dialogue with Governor Imee Marcos about their interests as well as their needs on Nov. 22 in the municipality of Pasuquin. (PGIN-CMO)

 On November 16, student leaders from the secondary and tertiary levels, including major universities and technology and vocational institutes participated in the orientation of the Sirib Express services at the Ilocos Norte Centennial Arena and at the same time, elected the Ilocano Youth Parliament. The officers will work together with the provincial government and conduct outreach services to fellow students including out of school youth.  

According to June Arvin C. Gudoy, chief of the Communication and Media Office of the provincial government said an approximate P7.5 million has been allotted in the 2014 budget for the implementation of the Sirib Express services.

Along with at least 14 departments of the provincial Capitol who will carry out the outreach program for the youth, Gudoy said the Sirib express services will be going to schools—both in high schools and colleges every semester to offer services such as student job fairs, resume writing, interview workshop, career coaching, student skills training and basic classes on photography, Adobe Photoshop and graphic design , agricultural livelihood programs and technical assistance, leadership training, guidance counseling, self-employment assistance program, symposium on responsible adolescence sexuality, loan program for women student entrepreneurs and many more.

“The youth has really a huge population. Their energy is what we need if we want to fast track our development in the province. They are the future. We need to train them,” Marcos said as she sees the youth as the “best partners” on mobilizing development programs here.

During the program’s launch in Pasuquin, the governor explained: “Parang Capitol Express din [na] dadalhin yung mga capitol frontline services, mga scholarship, mga [needs], yung sa fisheries, [Special Program for Employment of Students], other jobs for summer and so on sa mga eskwelahan pero we’re still experimenting kung papaano.”

“We’re going to big schools and INAC is the first one with its 1, 200 students so hopefully we can proceed to other schools. So let’s see how it works out,” she added. 

“Manang Imee’s Capitol Express”, which was launched last July, is the provincial government’s flagship program in terms of making its services more accessible to people, particularly to the grassroots. 

Like Capitol Express, Sirib is also set to visit areas especially public schools and universities once every semester in order to update beneficiaries on the progress of their requests.

Frontline services offered include educational scholarship, sports equipment, employment assistance, guidance counseling as well as free seminars and workshops on photography, graphic design, husbandry, résumé personality development, responsible adolescence sexuality among others.

During the launching, Ms Marcos who was wearing a T-shirt bearing the logo of the new program sat down in a circle with student leaders of INAC and asked them, “Ano ang pangangailangan ng kabataang Ilocano?” 

Student leaders voiced out their interests and problems, leading to requests for faster internet connection in computer laboratories for research purposes and other issues such as having a book club, biking club, and part-time jobs.

Forms dropped to a suggestion box displayed during the express also revealed other needs such as the upgrading of computer facilities and the inclusion of classes which deal about beauty care. 

“Kailangan nating pagtuunan ng pansin ang kabataan dahil nakahold ang [Sangguniang Kabataan], hindi masyadong aktibo so dapat na sagutin din natin ang pangangailangan,” the governor said. 

According to her, drug addiction and teenage pregnancy which are major problems “specific to kids” are among the several reasons which drive Sirib Express.   

“Walang matakbuhan ang mga batang may problemang ganyan. Mas maigi na yung [Out-of-School youth] at iba pang mga problema ay kabataan din ang sasagot kasi kabisado nila at mas makakausap ang isa’t isa,” she added, highlighting volunteerism as key component to the program.  

“I want to thank Governor Imee for the scholarship program. This support ensured my education for four years. This is a big help for my parents who can’t really afford sending me to school,” said Haydee Rivera, a fourth year student of INAC and a beneficiary of Iskolar ni Manang Imee.

“Iskolar ni Manang Imee” was the first flagship program of Ms Marcos on education. Now it benefits thousands of youth across the province.

“I am sure that with Sirib Express, more students will become aware of the services and will be aided in their education. Thank you again for another wonderful program,” Rivera added.

Next site to be visited by the Sirib Express is Paoay National High School on November 25, 2013, Monday. (With a report from Grazielle Mae A. Sales, PGIN-CMO) 

Students from Ilocos Norte Agricultural College in Pasuquin line up to avail of frontline services from the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte during "Manang Imee's Sirib Express" on Nov. 22. The "Sirib Express" is a roving one-stop shop to seek intervention and provide assistance to high school and college students, out-of-school youths, and job-seeking graduates. (PGIN-CMO)