Monday, December 17, 2007 New councilor urges colleagues to avoid pressuring SK leaders
CEBU City Councilor Rengelle Pelayo appealed last week that the youth be given the freedom to chart their course without pressure from City Hall officials.
With calls for the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) abolition still persistent, she said the criticism should serve as “a challenge to prove that we can make a difference in the city.”
In a privilege speech during her first appearance as a City Council ex-officio member last week, Pelayo, Barangay Buhisan SK chairperson, reminded Vice Mayor Michael Rama and the legislators that “preparing the youth for responsibility in the future will pave the way for a better nation.”
Mayor Tomas Osmeña and his wife Margot openly endorsed Pelayo over three other candidates for the city’s SK Federation presidency.
Last Monday, the mayor defended the move, saying his decisions are for the good of the city and not to make puppets out of the new set of SK officers.
He said this after Lahug Barangay Captain Mary Ann de los Santos from the opposition party said that he should have refrained from endorsing Pelayo, since this put other candidates at a disadvantage.
Osmeña said that Pelayo was recommended by his Mayor’s Management Team, which interviewed those who wanted to be the new SK Federation president. The mayor said he would be remiss in his duties if he will allow just anybody to get elected as SKF president.
The SK Federation president represents the youth in the City Council, apart from serving in his or her barangay as well.
In response to Pelayo’s speech, Vice Mayor Rama said, “We cannot be a leader if we are stifling our children’s growth.”
He welcomed Pelayo to the council, and reminded her to always read in full the measures they have to tackle. (RHM)
