YOUTH leaders in Cebu City discussed the concerns of the youth during a gathering at city hall recently.

They sought accountability for the alleged anti-poor programs that also affected students.

“The youth have always been carrying the calls of the masses like, ‘Ligtas na balik-eskwela,’ ’10k financial aid to students’ and also ‘Ayuda para sa tanan,’ and ‘No to carbon market privatization,’” Kabataan Partylist Cebu coordinator Aurelle Cresencio said.

She said that there were also calls for genuine agrarian reform, resumption of peace talks, regularization of all workers, a self-reliant economy, independence from foreign influence, and a free and accessible education.

Angel Mendiola, National Union of Students of the Philippines-Cebu vice president for Visayas, lamented that students continue to suffer from the government’s anti-poor and anti-student distance learning program.

“So much so that students are learning less, despite the inhumane workload they are given. Worse, this has led to dropouts,” she added.