A panel in the House of Representatives has approved a bill institutionalizing the conduct of summer youth camps in the barangay level.
The House Committee on Youth and Sports Development, chaired by Rep. Conrado Estrella III of ABONO Party-list, approved House Bill 3226, which recognizes that the State shall acknowledge the relevance of the youth in nation building. It shall ensure that the youth in every barangay is given appropriate training to develop their leadership skills and help them identify their talents in sports.
HB 3226 is principally authored by Rep. Rogelio Pacquiao of Sarangani.
“The youth are the next leaders and should be trained as early as possible to instill in them the relevance of being active members of the community and the importance of nationalism. They should learn how to engage in the public and civic affairs, and should be provided with fitting programs that would enable them to become leaders,” Pacquiao said.
In fulfillment of the 1987 Constitution’s mandate to promote and protect the well-being of the youth, the measure aims to help in identifying and honing their skills in leadership and in sports, inculcate a sense of social responsibility, and proliferate patriotism.
To this end, the youth camp shall be held every summer in venues chosen by the respective local government units.