SK chairman says: Brgy execs ignorant of new youth law

CEBU - The youth representative in the Cebu City Council yesterday strongly criticized some barangay officials and described them as “ignorant of a new law that helps reform erring minors.”

Rengelle Pelayo, who sits as ex-officio member of the City Council being the president of the Sangguniang Kabataan Federation in Cebu City, said only 45 of the city’s 80 barangays are conducting diversion programs for the children in conflict with the law.

The records showed that in 2006, there were 736 children who committed infractions and that the statistics went up to 1,118 last year.

Pelayo, on behalf of Margot Osmeña, delivered a report to the City Council about the status of children.

She asked the government to strictly implement all city ordinances that are related to children, particularly against pornography and trafficking, and to protect them from gang wars and drugs.

Pelayo also asked the city government, including the barangays, to appropriate funds in order to hire efficient personnel to handle children’s programs and projects.

She urged the Council to initiate the speedy release of funds for the restructuring of the Cebu City Operation Second Chance Center – the city’s detention center for juvenile offenders - into a youth home.

Further, Councilor Edgardo Labella informed Pelayo that he and Acting Mayor Michael Rama had appeared before the Commission on Audit and asked the COA en banc to reconsider its Memorandum Circular Number 2007-001 which prohibits local government units from supporting non-government organizations with officers related to government officials who approve financial aid for the groups.

The Cebu City Task Force on Street Children is one of the NGOs that will be affected with the implementation of the said COA circular, as the city government is providing financial assistance to the group. — Rene U. Borromeo/MEEV (THE FREEMAN)