Mayor Dagadag urges yTanudan youth to look after well-being of fellow youngsters

Tanudan, Kalinga – In these times in which many young individuals are being lured by illegal substances and some struggling with their mental health, Mayor Jaedicke Rhoss Dagadag called on the young ones to help look after their fellow youth.

Dagadag believes the peers of teenagers have a huge influence on them being the direct person available for a chat or long conversation, even for secrets and challenging experiences. In an interview, he said improving the youngsters' relationship with each other by making them look after one another can help them carry their burden in times of great difficulties and in the absence of parental guidance.

Represented by Executive Assistant Alex Ladwingon, Mayor Dagadag, made the statement during the 2024 Linggo ng Kabataan celebration of the municipality in Banagao, Poblacion on August 26.

 In 2022 data, the Dangerous Drugs Board revealed that 41.32% of individuals admitted to having used illegal drugs for the first time between 15 – 19 years old.

For this, the mayor enjoined the youth to be more attentive to their friends and to help in ensuring that their fellow will not destroy their future by trying illegal drugs and vices. He also encouraged them to be there for their peers and to ensure they are safe and are doing fine – mentally and emotionally in their everyday living.

“Ay-ayatek ken patpatgek nga u-ubbing mi, agtitinnulong tayo nga mangbantay iti surroundings tayo tapno iti kasta ket masigurado tayo nga ligtas ti kada maysa nga anak ken kabsat tayo nga ytanudan iti anyaman a banag nga makadadail or makaisturbo iti iti biag ti bawat maysa nga iTanudan ken makaperdi iti ili tayo,” he said.

Dagadag further emphasized that apart from looking after one another, the young ones should also support and push their fellow to strive harder to accomplish their dreams in life.  

“It is critical that no one is left behind,” he stressed.

Apart from the mayor, the event was also graced by other officials in Tanudan led by Vice Mayor Constancio Dalayap.