Laoag City—Newly elected Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Federated President Rafael Salvador Chua Medina assumed his seat as the newest ex-officio member of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP).
The board later gave him the chairpersonship of the Committee on Youth and Sports during the 93rd SP Regular Session on July 16, 2018.
As the representative for the youth at the SP, he guaranteed that he will always support advocacies that will develop the youth for a better future.
On youth involvement with illegal drugs, he wants to “[H]elp them realize that there is no good that comes from using drugs. Wala tayong makukuha diyan. Pwede pa ngang ika-baliw iyan. Sa mga kabataang nakagamit na ng drugs, we will seek the help of the Department of Health (DOH) for their rehabilitation and conduct seminars," adding that after their rehabilitation period, "Bigyan natin sila ng livelihood projects, nang pagkakaabalahan nila para hindi na sila bumalik sa maling landas."
Furthermore, he desires to address issues of mental health such as depression, suicide, and problems faced by the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual, queer and intersex (LGBTQI) community.
He proposes that at least one SK kagawad per barangay should take on the role of peer counselor, to assure the youth that they always have someone whom they can talk to and who will willingly listen to them if they have problems. They need to be reminded of the importance of life, Medina said.
He further pointed out the importance of mental health among for men, citing “[A]ng mga babae, very open sila sa ibang babae, pero sa lalaki kasi, mas kinikimkim nila hanggang hindi na nila makaya. Doon nati-trigger ang suicide."
In addition, Mr. Medina emphasized the need for proper use of social media. He said that the youth must realize the gravity of bullying and cyber-bullying, which are also factors in mental health, as well as the criminal liability of such acts.
He ended, "We must enforce the law properly. Education of the law ang dapat nating gawin para madisiplina ang ating bayan."
Mr. Medina is a young entrepreneur from Brgy. Valdez in Batac City.
He is the nephew of Batac Mayor Albert D. Chua and former provincial administrator Atty. Wendell D. Chua.
He graduated with a BS hotel and restaurant management degree and he’s currently managing a restaurant with three branches. (Stiffany Glydel Acacia and Ray Mark Paul C. Matias)