ORDINANCE INSTITUTIONALIZING THE LA UNION YOUTH CONGRESS ON HUMAN RIGHTS, APPROVED
By: Rhea Matilde A. Ballesteros, GPC – SP | Photos By: Mark Andrew G. Sanchez, SP | Date: May 4, 2021
Board Member Nancy Corazon M. Bacurnay, Principal Author of the ordinance “Institutionalizing the La Union Youth Congress on Human Rights moves for its approval on 2nd Reading during the 97th Regular Session of the 22nd Sangguniang Panlalawigan on May 4, 2021. The ordinance provides for the conduct of an annual gathering of high school student leaders in the province every first Saturday and Sunday of December, if the current situation permits. Identified participants shall join in a two-day seminar and team building activities which will provide them knowledge, skills and direction to advocate and put into action positive changes on social, political and human rights issues in their respective schools and communities.
The 22nd Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) approved on its third and final reading the Draft Ordinance No. 281-2021, “Institutionalizing the La Union Youth Congress on Human Rights” during its 97th Regular Session on May 4, 2021 at the SP Session Hall, City of San Fernando, La Union.
SPM Nancy Corazon M. Bacurnay, principal author of the said ordinance, explained that the human rights congress started in 2002 under the leadership of former SPM Henry A. Bacurnay, Jr., coined as “Youth Jam on Human Rights” as part of the observance of the anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and at the same was revived during BM Nancy's stint as SPM on 2013 as “ Youth Congress on Human Rights” to further promote the importance of human rights in the province especially to the youth.
Considering that the said program has promoted human rights education, made students aware of their human rights and duties and inculcated in them the promotion and protection of human rights, SPM Nancy Bacurnay proposed through an ordinance for its institutionalization to ensure the sustainable implementation of the program.
The ordinance mandates the conduct of an annual gathering of high school student leaders in the province every first Saturday and Sunday of December, if the current situation permits. They shall participate in a two-day seminar and team building activities which will provide them knowledge, skills and direction to advocate and put into action positive changes on social, political and human rights issues in their respective schools and communities.
Likewise, the ordinance provides that the Provincial Government of La Union, through the Provincial Legal Office (PLO) and other concerned and collaborating offices shall be the main implementers of the program. The support, assistance, advice and participation of the Department of Education, Commission on Human Rights-Region I and the SP Committee on Justice and Human Rights shall be sought during the planning and implementation of the said congress.
A monitoring and post activity evaluation/assessment one month after the activity spearheaded by the PLO is also provided in the ordinance.
The passage of the ordinance will increase public awareness on human rights issues to promote and protect human rights through the conduct of public education and seminars among the youth in the province that will eventually make them advocates of human rights.
