PGIN youth program marks 1st anniversary

WHERE IT ALL BEGAN. Gov. Imee R. Marcos meets with Ilocano youth in Pasuquin for the Sirib Express program which became the precursor of the Sirib Youth Office. (PGIN-CMO photo)

By Jennifer T. Pambid

PGIN-CMO

Sirib Express, the Ilocos Norte provincial government’s (PGIN) flagship youth program celebrated its first year anniversary on November 22, 2014.

From its launching last year at Ilocos Norte Agricultural College in Pasuquin, Sirib Express has evolved into an official capitol office—the Sirib Youth Office (SYO)—last March thru Executive Order 14-226.

Sirib Express was originally a roving one-stop shop to seek intervention and provide assistance to students, out-of-school youths, and job-seeking graduates.

Since its launching, Sirib Express has been holding campus tours in different high schools, colleges and universities all over the province to bring frontline services which include educational scholarship, employment assistance, guidance counseling as well as free seminars and workshops on photography, graphic design, and resume and personality development.

The program encourages full participation and involvement of the Ilocano youth in governance by providing them opportunities to interact and voice out public concerns that would contribute to the province’s development.

SYO and the Sirib Ilokano Kabataan Association (SIKA), its newly-formed youth volunteer organization, now have over 4,000 volunteers with representatives from all cities and municipalities in the province.

The whole day celebration began at the Ilocos Norte National High School (INNHS) Gymnasium with the second SIKA general assembly.

A turnover ceremony was held thereafter in the morning. Ilocos Norte Governor Ma. Imelda “Imee” R. Marcos also handed new equipment to the office.

Biggest accomplishment

The youth organization considers the first Sirib Leadership Camp as one of its biggest accomplishment. Its success was marked by the launching of (SIKA).

“From the young minds, we were able to come up with an organization that shall embody the youth of the province. This was the start of a strengthened youth engagement in good governance. We become effective medium in empowering the youth towards a transformative province and country as well,” Sirib Express Coordinator Joaz Lagundino, said.

Youth Hub

Upcoming projects are yet to be revealed, added Mr. Lagundino, but they are looking into a great chance for the Sirib Youth Office to become a youth hub, a space offering opportunities to all Ilocano youth to develop their abilities as well as to experience achievement, leadership, enjoyment and recognition.

“We are planning to expand into a youth hub in order to cater to a greater number of youth. We will upgrade into a more flexible office responsible for youth development in all aspects. That’s our long-term goal and we are looking forward to availing more big and fun events in the coming years for the youth,” he explained.

Challenge

Despite the growing number of youth participating in the advocacy, there still remains a challenge for the organization.

“There are still youth who don’t understand the advocacy. Many are still unaware that the red revolution is the newest form of empowering the youth. But from here, we realize what we need to do for them to fully understand the value of Sirib,” Mr. Lagundino stressed.

Sirib is the Iluko for “knowledge.” Recognizing their huge population, Ms. Marcos believes that the strength and enthusiasm of the youth is what the province needs to fast-track development.

The governor has long expressed her strong support for the Ilocano youth by giving them their own voice and access to opportunities thus empowering them towards achieving transformational growth in Ilocos Norte.

With the absence of the Sangguniang Kabataan, the birth of Sirib Express thus became an effective means for training and empowering the youth into future leaders by encouraging volunteerism.

“Naniniwala ako na kayang-kaya pa rin ng kabataan ngayon na baguhin ang lipunan at himukin ang kanilang sariling kinabukasan. ’Yan ang ibig sabihin ng tunay na kalayaan. Let us march toward the dream of greatness. ‘Yan ang ating panawagan. A huge challenge to make Ilocos Norte and our republic great again. To make the youth a moving force of society to transform what we have inherited to a deserving future,” Ms. Marcos said.