DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental, Aug. 31 (PIA) -- Youth leaders in Mabinay town were able to raise awareness on the importance of casting their votes among their peers during the celebration of “Linggo ng Kabataan” in their municipality recently.

Mabinay Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Federation Pres. Avon Lorraine Mission shared this during her Network Briefing News  interview with Presidential Communications Operations Office Sec. Martin Andanar on Aug. 27 over Radyo Pilipinas.

Mission said the Mabinay SK Federation marked the observance of Linggo ng Kabataan on Aug. 12 with a youth symposium focusing on key topics such as voter’s education.

“Dito natutunan po namin ang kahalagahan ng aming pagboto o ang kahalagahan po namin na makilahok sa pagparehistro (at ang aming) right to vote, right to choose who are our future leaders (We learned the importance of our votes, our right to choose our future leaders, the voters' registration),” Mission said.

Other topics highlighted in the “Linggo ng Kabataan” symposium were local youth leadership, Kabataan Kontra Droga at Terorismo (KKDAT), solid waste management in the barangay level, and mental health awareness.

The activity was carried out in accordance with prescribed health protocols.

Mission said the SK Federation in Mabinay continues to extend services to the youth despite the pandemic.

Part of their initiatives for the young people in their town is the provision of face masks, alcohol and disinfectants, learning kits, bond papers, and inks to school children.

Recently, 14 out of 32 SK chairpersons in Mabinay also took COVID-19 vaccine jabs to help boost vaccine acceptance among the youth in their municipality.

Mission explained that the SK Federation is under the A4 category. 

She encouraged the youth in her town to be aware of the current issues and support the government in its endeavour to address the problem on the pandemic.

“As youth. we possess three characteristics. We must be vigilant, resilient, and innovative. I encourage the young generation to be strong and be aware of current issues, be mindful in joining organisations, and continue supporting our programs and activities for us to be well-informed,” Mission said. (RAL/PIA7 Negros Oriental)