Youth speaker laments criticisms against youth group

In a bid to change some perception that the Youth Congress is allegedly “a waste of taxpayers’ money,” Youth Speaker Angel A. Demapan has vowed to step up the organization’s visibility in the community to increase public awareness of its active involvement in youth projects.

Mr. Demapan, who was inducted into office over the weekend, expressed disappointment that critics are willing to disclose “negative” opinions about Youth Congress without looking at both sides of the story.

“Members of the community unaware of our activities may get the impression that we are not doing anything at all. They don’t look at the advantages, and what this exposure can do for the youth as an educational system that would provide us a head start experience as future policy makers,” said the 18-year-old youth leader.

Critics have publicly commented on the group’s inadequacy and have labeled the youth leaders as “politicians” with negative connotations attached to it.

“The Youth Congress was established to provide an educational system to introduce us to the challenges of the future, not to become local label politicians,” he said.

Of the list of criticisms hurled against Youth Congress, Mr. Demapan admitted what hurt him the most was the remark that the youths in the organization are eventually headed toward becoming “bad people.”

“I am bothered about what they said that we are here to become bad politicians. Not all politicians are bad, it’s unfair to label all politicians entirely,” he said.

The youth leader has also expressed opposition to a proposal seeking to abolish the Youth Congress and instead instituting a junior entrepreneurship program.

While recognizing the merits of having both organizations, Mr. Demapan cited that not all youths aim to venture into business.

“Other people want to be public servants. Not all of them want to become businessmen or women,” he pointed out.

He challenged critics to view beyond what they currently know about Youth Congress and look deeper into the organization’s functions and activities.

“We are here to hear the voices of our youth. And I would like to inform the youth of the Commonwealth that the 3rd Youth Congress is now organized and we’re looking forward to a very successful year,” he said.

Mr. Demapan, during the inauguration ceremony held this weekend, pledged anew to work in the best interest of the islands’ youth.

He also challenged his fellow youth senators to work harder and to get involved in issues affecting the community.

The young leader also vowed to push for the resurrection of the local economy, to generate more funding for scholarships, upgrade the educational system, and the beautification of the environment.

After a year-long speakership term during the 2nd Youth Congress, Mr. Demapan was not ready to say goodbye to the position, expressing the need to settle some “unfinished business” on behalf of CNMI’s youths.

Mr. Demapan is one of a few youth senators to author and introduce the most number of bills and resolutions during the 1st and 2nd Youth Congress to include youth-empowering initiatives such as the General Education Act of 2000 and a proposed legislation to amend and/or clarify the functions of the Youth Congress.