Abstract
This study examines how Local Youth Development Council (LYDC) programs are perceived by youth in the City of El Salvador, Misamis Oriental, with a focus on their role in developing leadership potential and promoting civic involvement. Adopting a quantitative-descriptive design, the research surveyed 355 Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) youth voters using structured questionnaires. Ten core aspects of youth development were assessed: competence, confidence, connection, character, caring, community engagement, empowerment, supportive relationships, developmental opportunities, and the influence of LYDC on the performance of SK officials. Overall, respondents shared favorable perceptions of the programs, citing their contributions to building ethical values, fostering youth collaboration, and encouraging responsibility through mentorship and community-based activities. High ratings in areas such as character development and inter-barangay cooperation reflected a strong appreciation for the council's initiatives. The presence of values-driven training and leadership-building sessions was recognized as helping shape youth identity and purpose in local governance. Despite these strengths, the study revealed disparities in participation, with opportunities often concentrated among SK Chairpersons, leaving other youth officials with limited access. Dimensions such as empowerment and outreach received modest scores, indicating a need for more inclusive and responsive programming. Feedback suggested that broader access to leadership development and peer collaboration would strengthen the sense of belonging and shared responsibility among the youth sector. Although quotations from SK officials were included to provide context, the analysis was grounded in the quantitative data. The findings affirm that LYDC serves as a valuable mechanism for nurturing leadership and community awareness. To sustain progress, local policymakers are encouraged to improve equity in access, deepen youth participation, and invest in continuous, culturally relevant leadership initiatives. These insights may also inform similar programs in other localities aiming to strengthen youth engagement in governance.
