ILOILO City – Girl mayor Eliza Consuelo H. Bellones wants more programs and legislations that would help children in conflict with the law (CICL) in this southern city.
Bellones, a Grade 10 student of the Philippine Science High School – Western Visayas, is this year’s one-week city mayor as Mayor Jerry Treñas’ counterpart this Boys’ and Girls’ Week celebration.
“Sa akon opinion, indi sia dapat i-view nga dapat i-punish naton sila. Dapat gaan ta sila opportunity ma-rehabilitate and means to finish their education, and dapat tudloan naton sila sang ila means of living that they don’t have to resort to illegal means,” said Bellones.
Bellones joined Treñas’ regular press conference on Monday.
“Nagapasalamat gid ko sa Rotary Club of Iloilo City and Iloilo City government for giving me the opportunity nga may platform ako to provide insights halin sa perspective sang youth because by incorporating sang voices sang tanan, we can create a multi-faceted approach sa governance,” she expressed.
“Very grateful gid ko to everyone sa Philippine Science High School for nurturing me, akon family and friends. I’m really looking forward to using this opportunity to make a difference,” she added.
Meantime, Dave Leo Zachary Gelito of Ateneo de Iloilo is Vice Mayor Jeffrey Ganzon’s counterpart.
All city councilors and department heads also have girls’ and boys’ counterparts.
Relative to this, Treñas issued an executive order (EO) declaring Nov. 14 to 18 as the “2022 Boys’ and Girls’ Week” in the Iloilo City government.
The EO noted that the Rotary Club of Iloilo City is hosting the annual Boys’ and Girls’ Week in partnership with the city government to actualize its objective to train the youth with effective leadership and good governance for the next generation of public servants.
It also lauded the celebration as a unique leadership program, during which Grade 10 students will occupy key positions in the city government for a period of one week.
The student officials are expected to ask questions, join the planning discussions of the city, draft and pass resolutions as soon as signed by their counterparts, participate in sessions, and interact with other public officials.
The celebration is aligned with the provisions of the local government code in giving priority to programs, projects, and activities that will promote and ensure the meaning of youth participation in nation-building and governance, as well as develop their values, ideals and ethical standards./PN
