Five local government units (LGUs) in Iloilo received PHP5 million each after being tapped as pilot sites of the provincial government’s Family and Youth Development Center (FYDC).

The fund was released through the Iloilo Provincial Population Office on Monday to the municipalities of Igbaras, Sta. Barbara, Calinog and Sara, and Passi City for the project aimed at strengthening family and youth programs across the province.

“It is a novel project and innovation, particularly with regard to family and youth development. We are very happy and privileged to be given this opportunity to work initially in collaboration and cooperation with the provincial government,” Igbaras Mayor Vicente Escorpion Jr. said in a statement.

The FYDC is a two-story facility for multiple purposes, including pre-marriage orientation and counseling, training site for youth programs, and space for population program officers and their respective barangay service point officers.

It would also house the Local Youth Development Office, Office/Session Hall of the Sangguniang Kabataan (youth officials) and the Local Youth Development Council Office.

Governor Arthur Defensor Jr., who led the distribution, said the project would be expanded, with each of the remaining LGUs in the province having their own FYDC. (PNA)