ILOILO – Teenage pregnancy. Illegal drug addiction and trafficking. These youth problems would be the focus of Iloilo Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) provincial federation president, Ma. Angelica Bianca Requinto.
Helping Iloilo’s troubled youths is a priority, according to Requinto who, as ex-officio member of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, delivered her first privilege speech during the Provincial Board session yesterday.
“I will make it my personal mission,” she stressed.
Requinto noted an increasing trend in teenage pregnancy, citing figures from the National Youth Commission – 206,574 cases in 2010 which were 70 percent higher than 1999’s 114,205 cases.
Of these 206,574 teenage mothers, over half were 14 years old, said Requinto.
“If these figures do not open our eyes to the reality of teenage pregnancy, I don’t know what will,” she said.
Requinto also vowed to help in the campaign against illegal drugs.
Troubled youths needed help, not condemnation, she stressed.
Requinto appealed for help from local government officials down to the barangay level. A local youth development office in each town could serve as venue for youths to seek help and participate in local governance, she said.
The 21-year-old Requinto was a graduate of Bachelor of Science in Entrepreneurial Management at the University of Asia and the Pacific.
Prior to joining the SK in Estancia, she worked as quality management head of her parents’ hardware business.
In the Provincial Board, Requinto heads the committee on youth and sports development./PN
