A total of 78 Junior officials underwent a three-day exposure in various city offices starting Monday.
The delegation of the junior officials is aligned with the 3rd City-Wide celebration of Linggo ng Kabataan 2024, themed “From Clicks to Progress: Youth Digital Pathways for Sustainable Development. The activities will be from August 12-16, 2024.
City Social Welfare and Development Office Youth Development Officer IV, Gilda D. Salvaña, RSW, in an interview with Davao City Disaster Radio on Monday afternoon, said that there was an increase in the number from 50 junior officials last year because some offices reacted as to why they did not have junior officers in the previous year, which marked the start of having Junior officials.
“This year we responded to their comment, nahimo na karon nga 78 ang junior officials for this year 2024 both siya nga appointed and elected. Kung muingon tag appointed mao to ang atong city councilors ang atong department heads, as well as the representatives from the 11 tribes. Ang atoa lang gyud nga elected nga officials karon is si mayor and vice mayor. (This year, we responded to their comment; we now have 78 junior officials this year, both appointed and elected. If we say appointed, they are the city councilors and our department heads, as well as representatives from 11 tribes. The only elected officials are the mayor and vice mayor),” Salvaña said.
Salvaña said that the junior officials’ main agenda is to immerse themselves and experience the roles taken by public officials.
“They are expected to immerse sa practical nato nga experiences as public servants. So depende ni karon sa atong department heads kung unsa ang ilang ihatag nga function based also sa function sa atong respective department heads (They are expected to immerse themselves with our experiences as public servants. So it depends upon the department heads on what function will be given to them based also on the functions of the department heads),” she said.
Junior Mayor Vince Ian Garcia said that he finds the activity a nice opportunity to learn how crucial the youth’s participation is in civic engagement.
“My first day was nice, very welcoming ang mga tao sa city hall and then sila ate Dyne sa CSWDO is very supportive (My first day was nice, the people at the City Hall are very welcoming, also Ate Dyne from the CSWDO is very supportive),” Garcia said.
Junior Vice Mayor Yael Uri Mesias said that his first role as vice mayor was a very good experience.
“Ang City Hall officials they were very nice. Si Vice Mayor po tinour niya po ako sa session hall tinuruan po kami about sa ordinances ng Davao City (The City Hall officials, they were very nice. The Vice mayor toured me in the session hall and we were taught about the ordinances of Davao),” Mesias said.
As for expectations, Mesias said that he is hopeful about understanding the government process and refining his leadership skills, which would lead him to open doors for opportunities to serve the community.
Garcia said aside from learning about the government process, he seeks like-minded individuals with the same purpose to push for a positive impact, especially in combatting misinformation on social media in the aspect of the government process.
“I believe it will help me better understand our government and to educate ang pataka lang og istorya without basis (those who are saying things without basis),” he said.
Aside from the activities of Junior Officials, the Linggo ng Kabataan activities, slated until August 16, are Dabawenyo Sinestorya, Project Pitching by the youth and youth-serving organization, dance competition by 11 Sangguniang Kabataan Group. Junior Officials deputized as mayors are also given a chance to meet and take photos with individual tribes.
A Dabawenyouth Night will also be held to make the youth feel their involvement in the activities.
It is also when the best-performing junior officials will be acknowledged.
Salvaña said that all the activities are anchored on Republic Act 11768, or the Act Strengthening the Sangguniang Kabataan, Institutionalizing Additional Reforms to Revitalize Youth Participation in Local Governance and by Providing Honorarium, Other Benefits, and Privileges, Amending for the Purpose Certain Sections of Republic Act No. 10742, Otherwise Known as the “Sangguniang Kabataan Reform Act of 2015”.
Section 30 of the law mandates the observance of the Linggo ng Kabataan annually. One of the highlights is the installation of Junior Officials as stipulated in RA 10742, as amended by RA 11768.
All of the Junior City Officials this year are passers of the selection process, which includes an online application, actual essay writing, panel interview, and special election. CIO
