Garcia wants SK to focus on graffiti

CEBU, Philippines – Not pleased by the proliferation of graffiti in Cebu, Governor Gwendolyn Garcia wants the Sangguniang Kabataan to focus on things how to get rid of these unwanted writings on the walls.

According to the governor, such painting gives Cebu a bad image since the graffiti expresses "anger of the world" and the use of the colors black and violet gives the feeling of remorse and depression.

"These are made by people who are not 60 years old or senior citizens but members of fraternities and gang. This should be one project that SK should focus on," she said, adding that SK members should have an age of 21 and not 15.

She said SK should not be "Sangguniang Kabataan," which means that its members are still under the guidance of their parents and still have to be educated but should be "Sangguniang Kabatan-unan" which refers to persons who are already young professionals.

"We are confusing childhood from youth. They are being confused from going to school and to go out because of the call of job. Fifteen years old haven't even learned enough. There is really a need to define the real meaning of the youth," she told reporters.

The governor said that those people and youth who created the graffiti should also consider the sensitivity of those who don't want to see it especially along the roads.

"Excuse me, that wasn't a bright idea, it's better to plant bushes and flowering plants mas nindot pa," she said.

Meanwhile, Garcia blamed the proponent of the Juvenile Justice law, which, she said makes police officers helpless since children can not be jailed.

"Unsaon man na sa proponent ana, naghimo siya og Juvenile Justice unya unsaon pud kaha niya sa pagsulbad ang problema," she said.

She shared that some people are using children to sell illegal drugs and keep a firearm because children are exempt from criminal liability under the law.

"This is the problem of the police inig gukod lisod kay bata man," she added. (THE FREEMAN)