The Department of Social Welfare and Development Regional Field Office 02 (DSWD FO2) joined the Philippine Youth Development Plan (PYDP) 2017-2022 Formulation-Regional Consultation at the National Economic Development Authority Regional Office 02 in Tuguegarao City.

Newly appointed National Youth Commission (NYC) Undersecretary Cariza “Aiza” Seguerra graced the activity.

The said consultation aims to formulate the PYDP by utilizing participatory and inclusive approach to identify the main issues and opportunities, enabling conditions and proposed strategies and policies and role of the Filipino youth.

Moreover, the participants discussed the issue on teenage pregnancy.

“The issue on Teenage Pregnancy was one of the highlights of the discussion considering that Cagayan Valley garnered the second highest in terms of reported teenage pregnancy cases in the country with 18.2%,” said Ms. Irene Gacias, Regional Focal Person for Family and Youth.

The event was participated by the National Government Agencies, representatives from the different LGUs in the region, students from the different Universities and Colleges in the region, and members of the media.

The NYC is the Philippine government’s lone policy-making body on youth affairs, but also coordinates and implements various programs designed to help the youth be more conscious of the concerns surrounding them. ### By: Margarette B. Galimba, Listahanan Information Officer