ANTIPOLO CITY (PIA) – The Teresa Youth Development Center (TYDC), a one-stop center launched by the municipal government of Teresa, Rizal, aims to empower young people by offering many services in one facility.

This initiative, spearheaded by the Local Youth Development Office, aims to develop technical skills of the youth, engage them in intergenerational learning, cultivate empowerment, and promote cultural competence.

The center was established in collaboration with the non-government organization Share A Smile Project, and provides youth consultation sessions, personality development services, access to research facilities, technical training, and free printing and internet access.

Teresa Mayor Rodel Dela Cruz said that the local government is committed to finding ways to improve the capabilities and potential of providing quality services and facilities through the TYDC.

Dela Cruz said, “Here in Teresa, we believe in the ability and potential of the youth. Young people are the symbol and inspiration of new ideas, positive changes, and development of our community. It is the pleasure of the local government unit to be of service to them to reach their full potential.”

“Having a proper facility like the Teresa Youth Development Center will ensure the safety and development of the youth here in the town of Teresa. We want to provide quality service for the Youth and the people,” Dela Cruz added.

Amerson Aguinaldo, the National Youth Commission (NYC) CALABARZON area officer, lauded Teresa’s initiative in setting up an example of how local governments can implement the provisions of Republic Act No. 11292, which encourages meaningful youth participation in governance.

“With the establishment of this youth center, it manifests that our municipal government is very supportive of the needs of the youth. You can hope that the National Youth Commission will support all youth-related activities in your municipality. If we have to go down to the barangays, we will do it,” said Aguinaldo.

For Jeffrey Gamban, the municipal operations officer of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the TYDC is a creative approach to forming partnerships with non-government organizations, as a model for project facilitation and for prioritizing the needs of its youth.

Danna Gregorio, the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Chairperson of Barangay Poblacion, said that the center brings hope that the government is working to meet the needs of the youth.

Gregorio said: “The Teresa Youth Development Center is an initiative symbol or beacon of hope for the youth of Teresa. This will be guidance or maybe one of the symbols of how the Teresaño youth will be inspired. TYDC is a way that the Youth in Teresa will not be left behind,”

SK Federation President Ranniel San Jose meanwhile highlighted the convenience the center will bring for students, that they can access for studying and to improve their camaraderie with one another.

“It's so good, we don't go to coffee shops anymore. It's all here. Now all I want is for us to take care of it and keep the Teresa Youth Development Center clean. Invite your classmates here and study,” San Jose said.

The Teresa Youth Development Center is situated on the third floor of the new multi-purpose hall in Barangay San Gabriel. The municipality is positive that the project will be seen by the youth sector as a proactive approach in addressing their needs, paving a way towards community engagement and empowerment for the town’s future leaders. (MBL/PIA – Rizal)