Youth leaders in Agsur took over provincial governance

By David M. Suyao

PATIN-AY, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur, Oct. 21 (PIA) - Some 50 youth leaders from all over the province on Monday took over the reign of the provincial government.

The event is the result of the two-day Children’s Congress that started October 19-20, 2013 where these young provincial officials and young chiefs of offices were elected and appointed respectively. Under Article 4, section 46 of Ordinance No. 16, series of 2002  of the Agusan del Sur Children’s Code, children’s day of governance/ administration is celebrated every third Monday of October of every year.

Raymond Loreto from San Francisco took over the seat of Gov. Adolph Edward Plaza as governor while Joey Pagar from Bayugan City became the presiding officer and the vice governor, replacing Vice Gov. Santiago Cane Jr. The 15 members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan who were having their session today were also replaced, including the chiefs of offices of all the departments in the provincial government who act as guide for the young officials for one day.   

During the flag raising ceremony at the Provincial Capitol, these elected and appointed young provincial officials and chiefs of offices were introduced with all the participants of the two-day children’s congress as they sponsor the flag raising ceremony.

In his message, young Gov. Loreto said, children in Agusan del Sur are very lucky to be given the chance to explore the world of government leaders. Loreto added that aside from the scholarship that the provincial government is granting to deserving students, they are also lucky that only in Agusan del Sur that the youth are given resources and financial support by the provincial government when they travel to other places during competitions.

“That is why, we, the youths of Agusan del Sur, always do our bests to bring the honor back to our province when we compete in other places,” little Gov. Loreto said.

In his message, Vice Gov. Santiago Cane Jr. said, this program of the provincial government will help develop the potentials of the youths to the fullest. VG Cane said this is one way they can gain self-confidence and with dignity in facing problems that they may encounter in the future. It will also help the youths in discovering where their strengths lie, and to encourage them to pursue those avenues. Knowing that everyone has his strengths and weaknesses, this program would show that leadership is working to maximize the strengths and minimize the weaknesses.

“Children’s Governance will let the youths experience something new in dealing with different people with different personalities, while working together in order to achieve one common goal, and that is development.  It helps the children realize how important they are in the society even as young as they are, and they can do positive changes that will help the community they live in. Above all, we believe that children are the key to change the world,” Vice Gov. Satiago Cane Jr. said.

After the flag raising ceremony and program, the youths leaders were guided to their respective assignments to execute and perform their duties and responsibilities according to the mandate of the office. (DMS/PIA-Agusan del Sur)