Friday, September 26, 2008 Youths put to task Oro officials By Cong B. Corrales
ROTARY Club’s “youth officials” will end Friday their week-long exposure to local governance with an important lesson: an informed citizenry is a must because politicians do not always do what they say.
As they tried to blend in with the functions of their adult counterparts at City Hall, Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro followed the “little officials” and quizzed them on various governance issues.
One prominent question that was met with interest—and youthful idealism—is corruption.
Mayor Constantino Jaraula’s counterpart, 15-year-old Fernan Lopez, answered he would never consent to graft and corrupt practices—even if the wrongdoer is his political ally.
"Dili nako tambunan iyang sayop, kay kun akong tabunan mabutang nga apil ko sa kawat (I would not cover-up his wrongdoings because if I do so, then it means I’m part of the thievery)," the little mayor said without hesitation.
Another subject that sparked interest is Vice Mayor Vicente Emano’s virtual abdication of his functions as presiding officer of the City Council. Over a year since he assumed the post, the vice mayor has only presided the City Council session once.
The youth officials said they wouldn’t emulate Emano, and would religiously attend to their duties if elected in public office.
One youth official bluntly said Emano has not been a good role model to them.
Meanwhile, Lopez was concerned with the rising drug addiction in teenagers. As mayor, he said, he would address the problem by implementing random drug tests in all schools in the city—to include their faculty members and staff.
For Kathleen Kay Gaabucayan of Montesorri de Oro School, being a councilor has given her the grasp of the problems encountered by public school students.
"There are just many issues that confront schools and students that need legislative action. I’m proud I’m here in this one-week experience so that I can give a voice to students like me,” Gaabucayan said in the dialect.
The Rotary Club’s youth officials were elected last week among students enrolled in the different public and private schools in the city.
