Cliché as it sounds, it’s only proper to bring back the timeless words of the late John F. Kennedy, President of the United States: “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.”
Because that was also the message the city government of San Pedro, Laguna wants to impart to its youth as it celebrated Youth Week from August 19 to 26.
With the theme “From Clicks To Progress: Youth Digital Pathways for Sustainable Development,” the city government under Mayor Art Mercado has laid down various programs aimed at encouraging the youth to participate not only in their scheduled programs but on the overall development of the city.
Training grounds
Last August 19, the city government held the Presentation and Oath Taking of Junior City Officials (JCO) 2024.
JCO is a program where students get a chance to become government officials for a week and function as Junior Mayor, Vice Mayor, Councilors, and Department Heads.
“Ang objective nito ay magkaroon sila ng awakening na ganto pala paglilingkod sa gobyerno, public service and at the same time para makita rin nila yung significant role na ginagampanan ng government sa society,” San Pedro City Youth and Sports Development Office Head Glenn Torrecampo said in an interview with OpinYon Laguna.
On August 21 and 22, JCO officials held a mock session as Sangguniang Panlungsod members led by their Junior Vice Mayor Eunice Lexine Ferrer. The experience proved to be an eye-opener for the junior officials on the workings of local governance.
Asked about her experience, Ferrer said, “Mas naging open po ako kung ano po ang ginagawa nila since di naman po ko dati masyadong aware sa ginagawa nila sa City Hall.”
“Alam ko lang po siyempre ano ginagawa ni Mayor outside pero ginagawa ng councilors inside the offices, ng mga department heads nila, hindi. Mas nalaman ko po na ganto pala ginagawa nila.” she added.
Among other programs scheduled for the week were Orgnayan, a youth fair open to all National Youth Commission registered youth organizations in San Pedro, Una Ka! Youth Summit where the city government will provide an in-depth discussion on the theme.
Finally, on August 26, the city government will have the Festival of Talents where JCOs will be awarded and recognized by San Pedro Mayor Art Mercado, and the awarding of the Sing Pedro contest and VidYouth competition.
Giving back
Ferrer, a STEM Senior High School Student from the Lyceum of the Philippines University (LPU) explained that she wanted to participate as JCO because she is considering running for Sangguniang Kabataan in the coming elections.
This is not a first, as Torrecampo said that most JCOs end up at the Sangguniang Kabataan.
“Walang maliit na tayo na cannot contribute for the growth of our society, kaya kahit kabataan sila they can contribute para sa ikagaganda ng city of San Pedro and kung anong magiging kahihinatnat nila in the future, yung success nila, sana they won’t forget na ibalik sa city,” she said.
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