Bacolod opens free youth lounge and co-working space

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD CITY — With the welfare of the youth in mind, Bacolod City Mayor Greg Gasataya led the blessing and inauguration of the Bacolod Youth Lounge and Co-Working Space — a free public facility where young Bacolodnons can learn, grow, and find equal opportunities to thrive.

Gasataya told reporters during the weekend opening ceremony that the facility, a brainchild of his, “is designed to give our youth a conducive environment for their ideas, a hub for collaboration, and a safe space for guidance, support, and empowerment.”

Every young Bacolodnon, regardless of background, will have the same access to resources, mentorship, and opportunities to chase their dreams, he added.

Open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily at the third floor of Ayala Malls Capitol Central, the facility offers lounge space, study space, free printing (PDF files only, no bulk printing), free sharing sessions, free Wi-Fi, free meeting rooms, and even free coffee.

Gasataya said, “This is our way of turning to our youth and saying: we believe in you.”

He emphasized, “Like the dawn that carries the promise of a new day, our youth are the light that guides Bacolod’s tomorrow. As long as we lift them, support them, and believe in what they can become, our city will always stand stronger together.”

The lounge, the first in the city, was established through Mayor Gasataya’s Executive Order No. 018: Establishing a Youth Lounge in the City of Bacolod and Providing for Its Functions and Implementation Framework.

The EO cited Article 18 of City Ordinance No. 378, Series of 2004 — also known as the Child, Youth and Family Welfare and Development Code of Bacolod City — which stipulates that to effectively attain the code’s purpose, the City Mayor shall ensure the sustained operations of a Youth Center that will house the SK Federation Office and accommodate youth activities and programs.

The EO stated that in light of the renewed commitment of the City Government of Bacolod to youth empowerment, there is an urgent and compelling need to reestablish and revitalize the Youth Center for the city’s youth.

The Youth Lounge will provide an interactive space where young Bacolodnons can access information, resources, and activities that support their personal, social, and professional development.

It will serve as a hub for capacity-building programs, mental health support, creative expression, civic engagement, and access to government services tailored to the youth sector.

The same facility will also function as a shared workspace that provides a flexible and collaborative environment for individuals and businesses — often freelancers, startups, and small teams — to work independently or together.

There is hereby established a Youth Lounge in the City of Bacolod, which shall serve as a safe, inclusive, and resource-enriched venue for the youth to engage in development programs, leadership activities, and creative initiatives.

The Bacolod Youth Lounge shall aim to provide a dedicated space for youth interaction, learning, and collaboration.

It will facilitate access to information on education, employment, mental health, and social services. It will also promote youth participation in civic and community affairs.

The lounge also aims to support artistic expression, innovation, and entrepreneurial initiatives among young people.

The Youth Lounge shall be administered by the Bacolod City Youth Development Office, with support from relevant departments such as, but not limited to, the Department of Social Services and Development, the Public Employment Service Office, and the City Health Office.

The City Government shall designate an accessible and youth-friendly location for the Youth Lounge, to be equipped with essential amenities such as:

-Study/work areas and computers.

-Mental wellness corner.

-Activity hall for workshops, trainings, and forums.

-Creative zone for arts, music, and performance.

-Information kiosk on youth programs and opportunities.

The City Government shall allocate the necessary funds for the establishment, operation, and maintenance of the Youth Lounge.