Youth organizations in community development

YOUTH VOICE 

Carmen T. Malabong

PARACELIS, Mountain Province -- Statistics from the Philippine National Police (PNP) show that from 2012-2015, there are 60 percent juvenile crimes that fall under crimes against poverty that includes theft, robbery, malicious mischief, and estafa.
    Thirty six percent are crimes against persons and four percent are violations of special laws.
    To address this, authorities and law enforcers have urged small group gatherings, prayer meetings and others where the youth could be busy.
    This paved the way for conceptualization and formation of the Kabataan Kontra Droga at Terrorismo (KKDAT) in 2019, a youth organization where they could be involved with many activities that helps the community and their own self.
    In Paracelis, members of the KKDAT chapter are now promoting environmental protection and sustainable community development.
    The organization paved the way for the youth to be organized and come together for an advocacy on anti-drug and anti-terrorism.
    According to dpcr.pnp.gov.ph, the KKDAT is an active youth organization convened by the Philippine National Police (PNP) that aims to educate young people about the effects of terrorism, and violent extremism, and the abuse of the illegal substances.
    The organization was organized by the Paracelis Municipal Police Station and Mountain Province 2nd Provincial Mobile Force Company last May to be able to provide an avenue for the youth to have something to invest their time productively.
    With the youth mostly involved in the addiction to gadgets and social media and are vulnerable sectors in illegal activities, there has been a need for the organization of the youth in the place so that they may be mobilized for good causes.
    Today, KKDAT Paracelis chapter is one of the thousand youth organizations around the Philippines that are collaborating with other agencies and stakeholders for productive activities.
    Some of activities they did were clean-up drive of canals, mountains, and rivers, tree planting at the Simmacbot viewpoint, and an outreach program to the elementary pupils at Canabo Elementary School.
The youth does such activities to help the communities, maintain the cleanliness of the environment and help combat climate change. The organized youth have been continuously involved in so many activities that have helped them improve personally and socially.
    "Being a member and the president of the organization, I realized that even as a youth we can do things small or big for the society that we belong to. I am also having a good time in the organization because as young as we are, we are being utilized for good activities that help other people and the environment," said Arabella Baccay, president of KKDAT chapter.
    Youth organizations have been proven helpful such as developing important personal and interpersonal skills, gaining self-confidence and self-esteem and most of all, it could help reduce the risk of becoming involved in unsafe activities, such as using drugs and alcohol.
    With this, there is also a need to be maintained, thus, the officers of the organization are also encouraging their fellow youths to join the KKDAT organization. KKDAT, through the testimonies of the members, had led the youth to be organized and work together towards a common goal of helping the homeland and improving themselves.
    Rolando Tablang, the vice president of KKDATorg-Paracelic chapter are highly encouraging their fellow  to join them in their endeavor as there are many lessons that could be learned and could socialize with other youth.
Advisers of the KKDAT are also glad and were impressed with the influx of youth who registered and voluntarily helped or supported the past activities. The youth are crafting their action plan to have guides and concrete plans for the year. They are also expecting to conduct another clean-up drive at Barangay Bacarri in the coming weeks.
    The enthusiasm and eagerness were evident and were observed thus the stakeholders and advisers were even more motivated to continue supporting the endeavors of the youth as long as it is for the betterment of the community.
    "Actually, very proud ako sa mga kabataan ng  Paracelis kasi nakita ko ang puso nila na tumulong voluntarily magmula ng naorganize ang organisasyon na ito o ang tinatawag na Kabataan Kontra Droga at Terorismo,” said Cpl Jameson Paquito, the organization's adviser said during interview.
    The parents and the community are also throwing their positive comments in these youth organizations as they are seen doing well in the group’s activities and in the simple bonding with their fellow youth.
    “Mabuhay and KKDAT and congratulations for successful activities. Thank you for organizing a very active group helping our community. We are proud of you and all your accomplishments. Mga Kabataan ng Paracelis, sali na sa KKDAT,'' said Aubrey Dogwe of Paracelis.