CAGAYAN de Oro City Hall has been taken over by young bureaucrats.

Starting Tuesday, some 60 student leaders coming from different local high schools are taking over City Hall until the end of the week.

For updates from around the country, follow Sun.Star on Twitter

The high school students have been “in control” of the City Government--from the Office of the City Mayor down to the different department heads--for the Rotary Club of Cagayan de Oro’s yearly five-day exposure program for the youth.

Mayor Constantino Jaraula welcomed the young bureaucrats Tuesday with a breakfast meeting at the City Tourism Hall.

“This (program) is a good exposure for you to discover what is in public service. What you’ll find (will) not (necessarily be) good or perfect. You may see some weaknesses and deficiencies (in the bureaucracy), and I enjoin you to look into these and possibly recommend some corrections,” Mayor Jaraula told the young leaders.

In an interview, Manuel Along, Rotary of Cagayan de Oro president, said their annual five-day exposure program aims to provide an opportunity for student leaders to gain a “hands-on” experience on the inner workings of a local government unit and public service.

“This program actually started from as far back as the 90s. In 2003, the City Government officially included it in their program of yearly activities. This the best way for the youth to experience firsthand how an LGU is run, in this case Cagayan de Oro City,” said Along.

When asked if they installed measures in the program to shield young leaders from the political bickering currently hounding City Hall, Alvin Benasa, director-in-charge of the program, replied there is no way of shielding the students.

With the advent of the information age, students have been exposed to political spats in the national as well as the local level.

“These students are already exposed to (political bickering). As what the mayor (Jaraula) said in his welcome speech, they will be exposed to both good and bad political issues and practices. Our advice is for them to keep the good and the bad for these will have to be part of their learning process,” Benasa told Sun.Star.

He said the program has a feedback mechanism allowing students to express observations, recommendations, and criticisms, which will then be relayed to the student leaders’ counterparts in City Hall.

“We will not dictate what they will give us feedback. We are encouraging their honest to goodness opinions on the running of a local government unit,” added Benasa.

Jaraula’s youth counterpart is Romelyn Amion of Carmen National High School while Nadine Legaspi of St. Mary’s School will be Vice Mayor Vicente Emano’s young counterpart for the duration of the exposure program.

Acting as City Councilors are: Admon Rey Sabanal (Corpus Christi High School), Elijah Dan Seballos (Liceo de Cagayan University), Nerrick Jason Tan (Kong Hua High School), Kathlyn Denise Villanueva (St. Mary’s Academy), Roxette Joan Flores (Xavier University High School), Reynaldo Makinano Jr. (Bayabas National High School), Ann Michelle Mondragon (Lourdes College High School), Leo Fred Aron (Canitoan National High School), Kabunyan Palaganas (The Abba’s Orchard School), Mark Anthony Kionisala (Bulua National High School) Doony Pat Barbon (Marmount Academy), Malyka Jhen Tabujara (Balulang National High School), Crestal Panhay ( Mambuaya National High School), Jhon Louie Sabal (Bugo National High School), Nikki Mae Cuesta (Camaman-an National High School), Melchor Montano (Dansolihon National High School), Rajah Abutanmo (Pedro Oloy Roa High School) and Kimberly Jean Sildo (Macabalan National High School). (CBC)