CEBU CITY- The newly- appointed chairperson of the National Youth Commission(NYC) Aiza Seguerra will give focus in providing protection and information awareness among youth, giving special focus among members of the LGBT community. Seguerra clearly stated that gender sensitivity and awareness will be on the list of her priorties which also include the prevention of spreading of human immuno deficiency virus (HIV), mental health, unemployment of LGBT youth, the harassment, bullying of the youth and the empowerment of youth. Seguerra, who wanted to be addressed as “he,” said that no region including Eastern Visayas will be left out. “It is my goal, since our President is pushing for federalism, it will also be my priority making sure that no region will be left out when it comes to projects for the youth” he said. Seguerra acknowledged that the previous administration tend to overlook other regions and focus most of the projects in Manila. Seguerra is planning as early as now to visit all the regions in the country for him to see the problems the youths are facing now. “The real data will never be presented to you, it is best to go the ground and see for yourself the real deal” Seguerra said. In Eastern Visayas, Seguerra vowed to work with other national government agencies to address the problems after youth were devastated by supertyphoon “Yolanda.” “It’s what is good with NYC because we can always partner with other government agencies, such as the Department of Labor when it comes to unemployment and the Department of Social Welfare and Development when it comes to other concern,” he added. Seguerra is aware that previous chairman of the commission were not able to perform their job perfectly but for himself he vowed that in his term all programs and projects will be inclusive. Seguerra was the guest of honor of the recently concluded Pink Ink Training: Empowering Professional Media PR actioners to deal LGBT human rights issues last August 13 in Cebu where he discussed sexual orientation and gender identity and expression. He was joined by his wife, Liza Dino. (LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)
