2 dads agree, but skeptical on Osmeña’s offer to SK

Cebu City Councilors Joel Garganera and Raymond Alvin Garcia are throwing their support to the program of Mayor Tomas Osmeña in giving out hononaria and scholarship grants to Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials.

While they laud the move, they, however, are skeptical about the intentions of the mayor in doing so.

“We support that one hundred percent that is a very good program of the mayor… both the scholarship and the honoraria. But again, I am questioning if the mayor has the true intentions and motive of actually helping the SKs. Mao ra gyud na akoa,” Garcia told The FREEMAN.

Garganera, for his part, said that the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) organized the mandatory training for the SKs to learn and be able to manage their own affairs in representing sectors, the way they wanted.

Moreover, he further said that the youth must be spared from branding them to a particular political group.

“Let us stop branding these barangay SKs as being in the BOPK side, being in the opposition…these people are very idealistic. When they joined these, they want to serve… free from any political tune,” Garganera told The FREEMAN.

BASIC SERVICES

Meanwhile, Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III has urged the newly-elected barangay officials to prioritize the basic services that their constituents need, particularly the water supply.

The governor said some barangays in the province have problems with their water system causing the lack of water supply to some households.

“Water man ang kasagaran. And I always emphasize nga kining tubig importante. We are willing to enter counter-parting ba, motabang ang probinsya, motampo pud ang barangay” Davide said.

The governor earlier urged the local chief executives to put water supply project on the priority list.

The Capitol, Davide said, is willing to give assistance to barangays when it comes on the implementation of their projects adding that there are pending requests from barangays for financial assistance before his office.

RADAZA CONGRATULATES

In Lapu-Lapu City, Mayor Paz Radaza has congratulated all the newly-elected Barangay and SK officials in the city during the oathtaking ceremony held Friday morning at the Gaisano Island Mall, Mactan Island Convention Center.

“Being in the public service does not necessarily require the long list of accomplishments and achievements. As long as you have the heart and the mindset to uplift the lives of our people, as long as you have the sincerity to serve wholeheartedly, then you are all set,” Mayor Radaza said.

Representative Aileen Radaza and former Mayor and former congressman Arturo “Boy” Radaza were also present at the event.