MANILA — The Quezon City government is looking into training the youth volunteers to provide assistance in disaster response and key community-related projects.
Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte said on Saturday that involving the youth in the city’s public service and volunteerism activities will make them more responsible citizens.
“What I really like to do is to build, which I haven’t done, a pool of volunteers among the youths in schools that we can call on… for them to be able to help in terms of disasters, and other problems in the communities,” Belmonte said in an interview.
She added engaging the youth in worthwhile activities will keep them away from illegal drugs and other vices.
“Sometimes kasi, it’s not just having good grades in school, but they should also have the ability or capacity, or the willingness, to serve the country. Gusto sana natin na kusang loob sila na magtatrabaho, o tumutulong nang walang kapalit (We wish that they will work voluntarily or they will help hoping for nothing in return),” Belmonte said.
The local official created the Barkada Kontra Droga (BKD) and Youth for a Green Quezon City (YGQC).
BKD promotes youth empowerment through the organization of peer groups that encourage healthy and drug-free lifestyle in school campuses.
On the other hand, YGQC facilitates the implementation of the various youth programs in the barangays including environmental conservation. (Ma. Teresa Montemayor/PNA)
