The City’s Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Federation President welcomes the creation of uniform Anti-Drug Advocacy Program for SK’s of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA). Myka Magbanua said that although Puerto Princesa City does not have a large case on youth involvement into illegal drugs, she said that this is also a good move to prevent the proliferation of illegal drugs among youth, as she added that the SK federation must be ”pro-active” towards this case.
“Kahit sabihin natin na hindi ganoon kataas ang problem natin when it comes to illegal drugs (among youth), syempre we wanted to be proactive to prevent pa din yung mga cases na nangyayari sa iba’t ibang lugar na hindi mangyari dito sa Puerto Princesa, we will be working hand in hand to prevent this,” Magbanua told PDN.
However, she stated at she doesn’t have the full knowledge about the plan but wished that the SK Federation will be greatly involved in the crafting of the advocacy program. PDEA General Director General Aaron Aquino announced the creation of an anti-drug advocacy program for SK’s nationwide during SK Summit in San Fernando Pampanga. “We would like to see also what will be the comprehensive program na gagawin ng PDEA to SK nationwide at sana magkaroon din tayo ng representante ng SK when it comes to policy making kasi of course, kailangan nito maging relevant and ang gagawin ay SK’s nationwide para ma-implement via barangays so sana kasama ang SK sa pagpaplano nung kabuuang programa,” she said.
Magbanua explained that the involvement of the SK’s on the crafting or creation of the routine and guidelines of the program will determine if the SK can handle the tasks given to them and to see if other given tasks are still under their mandates.
“Ang side natin sana sa crafting pa lang ng programa ay kasama na tayong mga SK.
I’m sure naman kasama tayo pero tayo kasi ang nakakaalam kung aya pa ban g SK yun, sakop pa ba nng power ng SK yung magiging routine ng programa, or kaya ba natin? Relevant ba or beneficial ba in the long run? Kung ang role lang ni SK ay information campaign kaya yun ng SK, pero ang role ni SK ay manghuli, hindi na kaya yun ni SK.
SO let us see, tignan natin ang laman ng programa,” She explained. The SK Federation president said that they are willing to be involved in the project as she expressed that this will empower the youth through saving the youth from illegal drug addiction.
“We are very willing (to be involved in the program). Kasi alam nating ang mga kabataang sangkot dito ay biktima lang din (illegal drugs) , and we wanted and iligtas natin ang mga kabataaan natin dito. Ngayon ang batch ng SK na ang hangarin ay tuparin ang pangarap ni Dr. Jose Rizal na ang kabataan ay ang pag asa ng bayan,” Magbanua said.