Garcia: 7-point agenda to address youth matters

CEBU, Philippines - A seven-point plan stipulated in what they call the "Bag-ong Cebu Youth Agenda" is what the tandem of Winston Garcia and Nerissa Soon-Ruiz promised young voters during the Sugbo Youth Summit last Saturday.

The agenda include prioritization of pro-poor youth agenda, creation of better job opportunities, strengthening of anti-drug addiction campaign, creation of concrete sports program and facilities, youth empowerment for the care and protection of the environment, establishment of district youth centers, and creation of a youth arm of the provincial administration.

In a press statement, Aiai Garcia, One Cebu youth coordinator, explained that the youth agenda is a result of a series of consultations around the province.

"It is important to hear the voice of the youth and include them as the Cebuanos prepare to change the direction and the face of the province," the young Garcia said.

Noting the youth's role in nation building, Winston told the youth representatives that he would not be running away from the problems of the province if he gets elected.

"I will walk with you to solve the problem," he said.

"Atong himoong tinuod ang atong mga damgo. Gipul-an nako sa kapakyas sa gobiyerno paghatag ug kahigayonan sa maayong pagpuyo. Kamo ang haligi sa kabatan-onan. Kamo ang modelo, panag-ingnan sa kabatan-onan sa inyong tagsa-tagsa ka dapit," he added.

For her part, Soon-Ruiz assured the youth she will be a partner in promoting programs for the youth.

"Kung ako himuon ninyong kauban ni Winston sa pagdumala sa Sugbo, I will see to it nga matuman ang iyang mga programa ug mga damgo alang sa probinsya," she said.

Winston and Ruiz are running against incumbent Governor Hilario Davide III and Vice Governor Agnes Magpale, respectively.

Davide and Magpale earlier made the same vow in another youth forum held last April 24, which was organized by "Dasig," a newly established Cebu-based youth organization.

Meanwhile, Garcia reiterated his objective of providing more jobs locally so Cebuanos no longer need to go abroad to search for better opportunities.

 "Like what I said in all our speeches and in the video that we present in all our gatherings, the aim is for Cebuanos not to dream of going abroad and leaving their families to find jobs. The aim is for Cebuanos to find jobs here at home," he said.

 He said his plans that target unprecedented economic and tourism development for Cebu come with millions of job opportunities for all.

 His plan for a new tourism zone in Cordova, for example, can generate 150,000 direct jobs and 600,000 indirect jobs.

 The new international port along Liloan and Consolacion's shores, which he plans to be a lot bigger than the one being implemented, will offer 100,000 direct jobs and 400,000 indirect jobs.

 The Talisay-Carcar reclamation, which will become a new well-designed, well-planned metropolis in Cebu, will open up no less than 600,000 direct jobs and 2.5 million indirect jobs.

 His plan to fully equip the provincial and district hospitals with needed personnel will also generate jobs, he said. — (FREEMAN)