ZAMBOANGA City Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar has called on the almost 700 newly-elected Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) or youth council officials to rally behind her administration.

Salazar made the call stressing that under the law, it is the mayor that will be working with them together with the City Council.

"Under the law, it is the mayor that will be working with you and the Sangguniang Panlungsod (City Council) together with the barangay (village) officials that set the trend of providing for the our people so that with the help of the SK in Zamboanga, we'll be able to progress," Salazar said.

She administered the mass oath-taking of the newly-elected SK on Wednesday afternoon, which was held at the Mayor Vitaliano Agan Coliseum.

"Follow your conscience. Do that will of God by doing what's best," she told the SK officials even as she lamented information from the ground that traditional politics has again been utilized.

The SK Federation Orientation and Election have been scheduled on Thursday until Friday, May 24 to 25.

The creation and election of Local Youth Development Council has been scheduled next month.

"There have been some commitments made, and with that commitments there might have been some perks, housing all of them in one particular venue," she added.

Salazar, without naming names, said public officials or as private individuals or persons of authority are accountable for corrupting the minds of young people. (Bong Garcia/SunStar Philippines)