Student Leaders to observe good governance at LGU Mangaldan for Nat'l Youth Week

Being an active student leader in elementary and high school, I always wanted to observe how governance works outside the realm of the school during those times. Albeit, in my four years in high school there were only two scenarios when I got to go inside the Sangguniang Bayan Hall and the Municipal Hall- when we solicited for financial assistance and when we were commended upon winning a national contest.

Together with the officers of the Supreme Student Government
of Mangaldan National high School with their
adviser Ma'am Jocelyn  Pascua during the Brigada Eskwela. 

That is why I brought with me this dream as a former student leader and now as a councilor: what if the current student leaders represented by their student government president with his or her adviser, go and visit the municipal hall and the Sangguniang Bayan and observe how their government works for its people. 

The Philippine Constitution clearly provides that the State recognizes the vital role of the youth in nation-building and shall promote and protect their physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual, and social-well-being. Furthermore, the State shall inculcate in the youth patriotism and nationalism, and encourage their involvement in public and civic affairs.  

Together with my co-officers when I was the president of the
SSG in MNHS and our advisers and principal. 

Moreover, Section 30 of Republic Act No. 10742 or the Sangguniang Kabataan Reform Act of 2015 states that every barangay, municipality, city, and province shall conduct an annual activity to be known as the Linggo ng Kabataan on the week where the 12th of August falls to coincide with the International Youth Day. 

After the flag raising ceremony last Monday, knowing that our mayor fully supports activities and programs of the youth sector, I asked Mayor Bona if we could conduct an activity in line with the International Youth Week and Linggo ng Kabataan (Youth Week) in cooperation with the Local Youth Development Coordinator Sir Noel De Guzman, and the mayor immediately approved the activity without any hesitation. 

With the officers of the Supreme Student Government of
Gueguesangen Integrated School with their adviser Ma'am Donna Clata
during the Brigada Eskwela.

This is why last Tuesday during the regular session, I passed Sangguniang Bayan Resolution Number 2017-105 which enjoins Honorable Mayor Bona Fe De Vera Parayno in inviting all Supreme Pupil Government and Supreme Student Government President in all public and private schools and their adviser in the municipality to attend the flag raising ceremony, municipal hall education tour, and the regular session on Monday, August 7. 

Together with SSG Officers of David National High School and their
principal Sir Jeremy Maningding during their Brigada Eskwela
closing program.

We opted to choose the Supreme Student Government as it is as defined by the Department of Education, the umbrella organization in schools- meaning that it is the highest governing student organization in school. However, we are hoping that in succeeding activities we could also invite other school organizations. 

The objective is clear, for the student leaders to have a clear picture on how good governance works at the Local Government Unit of Mangaldan by visiting every department offices, to be acquainted with worker in the government, be informed of their services, to have a courtesy call and interact with the mayor. The last activity will be the observance in the regular session of the Sangguniang Bayan. Students will be able to observe how Parliamentary Procedure is conducted. 

I am so excited for these young student leaders in our town to be exposed in such activity. I am also hoping that they could apply whatever learning that they could get out of the said activity on Monday.  We do not know if one of these young student leaders will be next department heads, councilor, vice mayor, mayor, or even the president of the Republic.