The House of Representatives, in celebration of the House of Representatives Month, this week held a leadership forum for the youth in recognition of its vital role in nation-building.
The event, entitled “Liyab: Awakening the Filipino Leader in You” is an endeavor of the Office of the Speaker in collaboration with the House Secretariat Offices.
In his welcome remarks, House Secretary General Atty. Cesar Pareja said the House has organized several events for the youth like the One House Internship Program and the recently concluded Bill Drafting Contest to enable them to participate more actively in the conduct of governance.
“It is said that millennials are the reason why we have not progressed much. However, we strongly disagree,” Pareja said.
Pareja pointed out the overwhelming number of applicants at the internship program and the impressive turn-out in the bill drafting contest is an indication that the millennials are the hope of the country.
“Your attendance today in this leadership forum is a form of answering the call for change we all want to see,” he said.
Office of the Speaker Head Executive Assistant and Inter-Parliamentary and Public Affairs Department (IPPAD) Officer-In-Charge Deputy Secretary General Atty. Darren de Jesus, who gave an overview of the seminar, said Liyab is a leadership forum designed to tackle various leadership aspects.
“We believe the youth of today is the country’s pool of future heroes and leaders. We want them to be heard this early,” De Jesus said.
Invited to talk at the forum were Reps. Geraldine Roman (1st District, Bataan) and Christopher De Venecia (4th District, Pangasinan) and Mr. David Jonathan Garcia.
Garcia talked about being a Filipino, Roman on sense of community while De Venecia touched on sense of purpose.
Most of the participants were students from the different schools in Metro Manila and neighboring provinces, with the rest from government agencies, NGOs, private sector and media. (Congress)
