NATIONAL YOUTH AGENCY GETS NEW CHAIRMAN

The National Youth Commission would like to announce the assumption of Richard Alvin M. Nalupta, formerly Commissioner at Large of NYC, as Chairman of the institution. He replaced former Chairman Paolo Benigno A. Aquino IV last 22 February 2006.

Chairman Nalupta's previous positions in the NYC were as Commissioner for Luzon (2002-2003) and Ex-Officio Commissioner and National Sangguniang Kabataan Federation President (1996-2002). He now heads the National Sangguniang Kabataan Alumni Association.

He was also the Youth Representative in the Legislative Executive Development Advisory Council and Chairman of the Committee on Membership of the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines during the time he served as SK National Federation President.

Prior to being elected as SKNF President, he was elected as SK Provincial Federation President of Ilocos Norte (1992-1996).

Richie, as those close to him fondly call him, is a consistent honor student, graduated Cum Laude with a degree in Philosophy from the University of the Philippines. He is also currently studying Law at San Beda College.

He counts as one of his major accomplishments the success of the Youth Smoking Prevention Campaign, a national initiative that aims to prevent youth below the age of 18 from smoking. He also spearheaded the signature campaign for the passage of the Clean Air Act, and was instrumental in the establishment of the SK Academy, a training institution for youth leadership housed in Quezon City.

During his term as SKNF President, he also initiated the OSKAR, which stands for the search for the Outstanding Sangguniang Kabataan Awards and Recognition, awarding outstanding SK leaders.

Richie is still actively implementing his “Libreng Libro Para sa Kabataan” Program, a book donation drive for public schools and community libraries to encourage the youth to read more by supplementing the number of accessible reading materials for students in elementary, high school and college in urban poor communities and remote areas of the country and has initiated a Youth Legal Aid Program for youth with meritorious cases who are deprived of their right to competent legal representation.

He concurrently serves as Commissioner for the Advisory Council for Charter Change.