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Thursday, October 20, 2005
Drugs, lack of school top kids’ worry list
By Oscar C. Pineda
Sun.Star Staff Reporter
Students in Lapu-Lapu City urged Mayor Arturo Radaza last Monday to put up a public college and address the drug problem in the city.
Radaza delivered his “state of the children address” inside the City’s covered court beside the Virgen dela Regla church last Monday afternoon.
About 1,500 students from pre-school to fourth year high school attended the gathering and voiced out their concerns.
“We would like to urge you, Mayor, to develop more activities and programs for the youth, on the physical, intellectual, social and spiritual (aspects),” said 15-year-old Niña Faith Awe, Supreme Student Council president.
Childlike wonder
She said they long to see the day when every child and teenager in Lapu-Lapu City, or perhaps in the whole country, will be given the opportunity to go to school.
“We need a hand that will mold us and help us keep the childlike wonder in our hearts and in our minds,” Awe added.
She also expressed thanks to the mayor for drafting the Children’s Code. However, the Department of Social Welfare and Development Office has yet to finalize the draft.
Radaza assured the students that all their concerns have already been acted upon, although he admitted that some local officials are slow in implementing certain projects.
The mayor said putting up a public college is part of his administration’s thrust.
In his speech, the mayor reported that 470 computer sets have been bought by the City Government and distributed to all high schools, including the ones in the island barangays of Olango, Pangan-an and Caubian.
School buildings
The purchase of computers is part of the National Government’s Gearing up for Internet Literacy and Access for Students project.
Radaza also noted that his administration has built new school buildings and repaired dilapidated structures.
He said they have developed sports programs with the private sector to keep the youth away from drugs and alcohol.
The City Government has milk feeding and micronutrients supplementation programs for babies below 59 months, Radaza added.
He said there are 76 daycare centers serving 4,028 pupils in the city.
After delivering his address, Radaza invited the students to come closer for an open forum.
Some of students joined Radaza on stage and took turns in asking for the mayor’s help.
Vandalism
One student, Karen Bangcot, told the mayor that she is concerned about vandalism in Barangay Basak.
“Your barangay captain is not doing anything about it,” Bangcot said, referring to Basak Barangay Captain Isabelito Darnayla.
The barangay captain has been conducting drug raids and buy-bust operations in Basak.
Radaza said anybody is authorized to arrest anyone who is caught violating the law. He said a citizen’s arrest was already reported in Barangay Mactan, where a suspected vandal was penalized.
Another student expressed apprehension over the growing number of persons addicted to drugs.
Sangguniang Kabataan Federation President Liz Catagcatag, who was with the mayor, told the students that they are conducting training programs and sports competitions to keep the youth away from drugs and alcohol.
Since the Philippines is a member of the United Nations Children’s Fund, Lapu-Lapu City is required to deliver a state of the children report, said City Social Welfare Officer Ermelita Degamo.
She said the City Government is also required to include the children’s concerns in its Local Development Plan, Local Investment Plan and the Children’s Code.
(October 20, 2005 issue)
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