HIGIT sa 180,000 out-of-school youth sa buong Filipinas ang makikinabang sa pinakabagong programang handog ng United States Agency for International Development at ng pamahalaang panlalawigan ng Albay.

Ang programa, na tinawag na Opportunity 2.0: Second-Chance Opportunities for Out-of-School Youth Program, ay binuo para suportahan ang pag-aaral, hanapbuhay, at kinabukasan ng mga OSY sa Legazpi, Albay at sa buong bansa.

Magtutulong-tulong ang USAID, Legazpi LGU, Department of Education, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, at iba pang ahensiya ng pamahalaan para bumuo ng mga programang lilinang sa kagalingang akademiko, employability skills, at karanasang teknikal ng mga OSY nang sa gayon ay magkaroon sila ng siguradong kinabukasan.

“A key element in this journey of youth transformation is partnership. Alliances that consist of committed and capable individuals and institutions who selflessly put in their time, effort, and re-sources to advance our shared goal has to be a central feature in improving the lives of youth,” pahayag ni USAID Philippine Director for Education Thomas LeBlanc.

Sa ngayo’y nakikipagpulong na si Legazpi Mayor Noel Rosal sa 11 pang LGUs upang lumaki ang saklaw ng naturang P1.9 bilyong programa.

“We know for a fact that the LGU should really give their counterpart. Today, as we gather in this meeting, may this serve as inspiration to the youth and community that we are doing inclusive growth in the city,” sabi ni Rosal.

Para mas maging matagumpay ang Opportunities 2.0 ay makakasama rin ang mga pangunah-ing korporasyon at negosyo sa skills development, kabilang ang Accenture, Catholic Relief Ser-vices, Philippine Business for Education, SEAMEO-INNOTECH, at Voluntary Services Over-seas.