Tarlac State University, through its Center for Community and Local Governance Studies and Policy Development (CCLGSPD), entered into a partnership with barangays Baras-Baras and Sinait in Tarlac City to strengthen youth governance and local policy development.
The partnership was formalized through a memorandum of agreement signing today (January 22) at the Main AVR.
Through Project KAPABILD (Kabataan Advancement: Profiling, Consultancy, and Capacity Building Initiatives for the SK and KK in Baras-Baras, Tarlac City), the CCLGSPD and the College of Public Administration and Governance will provide assistance and consultancy for data collection and analysis in profiling the Katipunan ng Kabataan to be able to formulate and implement programs and services attuned to the issues and concerns of the barangay's youth.
Last April 13, 2024, CCLGSPD and CPAG already conducted phase I of the project, where they gathered data and information about the youth's status in the barangay.
Moreover, TSU will also conduct capacity-building activities for Sangguniang Kabataan youth leaders and the Katipunan ng Kabataan to enhance their competence and skills, focusing on the ten centers of youth formation.
Additionally, advocacy materials promoting youth empowerment and development will be developed under this initiative.
Meanwhile, Project AKAP (Aksyon Kaagapay ang Pamahalaan Project), piloted in Brgy. Sinait, aims to strengthen local governance and policy development through capacity-building activities for barangay leaders to improve their governance and leadership skills.
As part of the project, a barangay database system will be developed to streamline processing requests from barangay beneficiaries.
Brgy. Chairman Mario B. Sapad of Baras-Baras and Brgy. Chairman Catalina P. Tonelada III of Sinait thanked the TSU community for its continuous support and assistance to their barangays.
“Rest assured po na ang partnership na ito ay hindi lamang po sa ballpen dahil pagsisikapin po namin ng council, SK, at ng mga mamamayan ng Sinait na maisakatuparan ang programang ito sa pinakamataas na antas. Ipapakita po namin na ito ay magtatagumpay para po sa ikakaunlad ng aming barangay,” Hon. Tonelada said.
In a message, TSU President Dr. Arnold E. Velasco underscored the importance of being a great leader by being a good servant to all.
“Kung ang leader po natin ay competent, magiging maayos po ang ating barangay at magkakaroon ito ng magagandang programa,” he said.
He also praised the center for the two projects that would "surely create a big impact" on the community within its two-year implementation.
Meanwhile, CCLGSPD Director Dr. Cynthia G. Quiambao assured the beneficiaries that the university would extend all its efforts to help the community.
“Kami po kasi sa TSU, hindi lamang po mga LGU ang aming gustong matulungan kundi pati na rin ang basic unit ng ating gobyerno. Naniniwala po kami na kung successful po ang ating mga barangay ay magiging successful din po ang ating bayan,” Dr. Quiambao said in Kapampangan.
“Asahan niyo po na ibibigay namin ang lahat ng aming makakaya at kahusayan dahil lahat po ng mga barangay ay malapit sa puso ng aming unibersidad,” she added.
Also present during the MOA signing are Vice President for Research, Innovation, and Extension Dr. Erwin P. Lacanlale and Presidential Assistant Dr. Brigido B. Corpuz. (jlmm-OPA)
