ROTARY CLUB OF ROXAS AND THE CITY GOVERNMENT ...

by TSIP Pancho B Dela Cruz

The Rotary Club of Roxas in cooperation with the City Government observed Boys and Girls week last September 28 - October 2, 2009. From the 60 senior high school students from local public and private high schools who joined the selection process, 26 made it to the final list and the rare chance to act as the City officials from the office of the City Mayor, Vice Mayor, Sanggunian Panlunsod member down to the Department Heads for a week.

Brylle Clinton Deocampo of St Pius X Seminary, with his maverick personality and futuristic view on the prevailing social issues lead him to the Boy City Mayorship counterparting the City Mayor Hon. Vicente Bermejo. Catherine Borreros of Congressman Ramon A. Arnaldo High School, with her sense of humility yet strong in compassion for good governance was chosen as the Girl City Vice Mayor as the couterpart of the City Vice Mayor Hon. Ronnie Dadivas.

Counterparts for the Sanggunian Panlalawigan Members were Jenny Pearl Infante of Colegio dela Purisima Concepcion for Hon Erwin Sicad; Chito Victor Agurro II of Our Lady of Grace Academy for Hon. Amador Anisco, Jr.; Joher Mendez, Jr. of Capiz State University Main Campus for Hon Dennis Altobano; Leodel Barrio of Colegio dela Purisima Concepcion for Hon Greg Arcenas; David Solomon Cunada of St Pius X Seminary for Hon Herbert Chu; Al Michael Catalan of Our Lady of Grace Academy for Hon. Ramon Albar; Dion Greg Reyes of Filamer Christian College for Hon. Jose Agdalipe.

Randeelyn Apruebo of Capiz State University Main Campus for Hon. Rolando Ignacio; Jerik Clarito of Culasi national High School for Hon. Carla Abela; Scarlete Coopera of Filamer Christian College for Hon. Rogelio Delfin; Howell Labindao of Our Lady of Grace Academy for Hon. Wilson Acervo ( Liga President); Jose Marie Boje of Colegio Dela Purisima Concepcion for Hon Katrina Barrios (SK Federation President ); and Jheffy Lamasan of Culasi National High School for Mr. Dino Beluso as the Sanggunian Seceretary.

As counterparts for the City Department Heads, Nneka Datiles of Filamer Christian College made it to the Girl City Administratorship for Rey Cordenillo as the City Administrator; Patria Acolentaba of Tanque National High School for Teresita Bediones as the City Accountant; Mark Nikko Alfon of Our Lady of Grace Academy for Gilda Fernando as the City Budget Officer; Marriane Barrosa of Filamer Christian College for Joselito Almodeinte as the City Treasurer; Ruth Billones of Milibili National High School for Lorelei Piansay as the City Planning Officer; Crist John Blanco of Colegio dela Purisima Concepcion for Engr. Ardieli Ambrosio as the City Engineer.

Rochelle Faye Fantilaga of Filamer Christian College for Cynthia Besana as the City Social Welfare and Development Officer; Neil Paul; Faraon of St Pius X Seminary for Dr. Dante Corros as the City Veterinarian; Marvy Jane Orario of Tanque National High School for Glenn Amane as the City General Services Officer; Ma. Ellen Doloso of Congressman Ramon A. Arnaldo High School for Rogelio Arcangeles as the City Civil Registrar; and Thea Leonor Durana of Milibili National High School for Dr. Amelita Robles as the City Health Officer.

No less City Mayor Hon. Vicente Bermejo welcome the Boys and Girls in his office with his words as the good father of a family minutes after the power point presentation by the City Administrator Rey Cordenillio of the administration’s rallying call “SULONG”, its accomplishments, and future plans and programs. They were sworn in to their respective functions and went on to meet their counterparts.

The week long activity provided the youngsters an advance experience on how it is like to be elders in local governance and a sort of knowing the workings of the City Government. Danny Alovera of the City Tourism Office and Mrs Belinda Garrido of the City Agriculture Office acting as tour guides broke their innocence on the innermost of the City Museum, Hortus Botanicus, Teodoro Arcenas Trade Center, Metro Roxas Water District Plant, Libotong Cadimahan River, and the PHILVOCS by the talented volcanologist Ramil Atando.

The cameras and microphones of Local Television programs BUDYONG kapehan of Wesfardel hosted by the small but charismatic Rexam Laguda and ABRI-AGA of Alto Cable hosted by the mass oriented John Heredia provided them the early opportunity of uncovering their poise in the eyes of the televiewers. The bombastic drums of bombo Radio echoed their youthful views and convictions to as far as it can be heard.

Hon. Vice Mayor Ronnie Dadivas, a Rotarian himself, and Sanggunian Secretary Dino Beluso patiently took time tuning in the novice minds to legislative processes in a mock session day before the actual one. Added the unselfish and willing mentoring of their elected counterparts, the young wannabes surpassed the high expectations in the house. They went through with the agenda for the day with each side sitting their elected counterparts. In availing of the privilege hour, words of gratitude were common in the podium for the rare experience with their youthful words and phrases. But along with their fragile lines were the high level of concerns to the deteriorating environment, family planning, devastation of calamities, and sincere governance.

At the finale, youthful spirit converted the session hall to a high school classroom. The laughers, high fives, and young once body languages from the Hon Vice Mayor and the Hon. City Councilors apparently brought their memories back to their exciting high school days. A clear sign of relief from the year long burdens of legislative workloads.

The activity ended with the awarding of certificates at the office of the Mayor with his words of assurance for the continued support to the Boys and Girls project. In response, President Elect Rotarian Jerry Lames, Chairman of the project and Incumbent President Rotarian Dr. Pip Acepcion expressed their gratitude emphasizing the necessity of molding the youth to be good citizens and future community leaders.