SK councils to get P1 million each — Garcia

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City Government is set to release P1 million each to all Sangguniang Kabataan Councils in the 80 barangays in Cebu City, particularly for the youth's summer league.

Acting Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia made the announcement to the SK officials last Saturday during the Media and Information Literacy Toolkit discussion at Duljo Fatima’s barangay hall, according to the City’s PIO.

"Daghan kaayo niduol nako og nangayo og tabang sa ilang mga liga, nga ila kunong i-charge sa City-sponsored account sa Cebu City Government. I said ayaw namo’g hunahunaa pa kay ako nang i-release ang inyohang One Million Pesos,” Garcia said.

Garcia accordingly promised to have the amount released on July 17, 2024.

The funds for this will be taken from the city’s General Funds.

Meanwhile, Garcia urged the SK officials to fully take part in the media and information literacy training as it aims to enrich the knowledge of the SKs, especially in the advent of internet and social media being a source of information.

“For news and information our primary source is really the internet or social media. That’ s why this topic is very critical and essential because of new technology,” Garcia said.

During his message to the SK leaders, Garcia mentioned anew the alleged unfair treatment of media in reporting issues during the Palarong Pambansa, particularly the inadequate water supply and malfunctioning comfort rooms in one of the billeting quarters, which post went viral but Garcia said did not have the side of the city government.

“Nakakita man gud ko nga grabe ang preparations sa Cebu City Government sa atong mga billeting areas so that our guests really feel at home, so that we will feel that they are really provided for by the City Government,” Garcia added.

“That’s why I told the media ‘please be fair, please give the right information, including the side of the Cebu City Government, ayaw lang pirme ipakita ang bati, ipakita sad ang nindot nga unsay nabuhat sa Cebu City Government’,” Garcia added.

Garcia initially pointed this out in a press conference where he called out members of the press for alleged unfair reporting. A few of the reporters “walked-out” though as they also felt he was unfair to generalize it when it was only supposedly one outlet that reported about it.

The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines-Cebu issued statement concerning Garcia’s allegation of unfair reporting.

"The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines - Cebu Chapter would like to respectfully remind officials that journalists do not “actively seek issues” to write. We appreciate the effort to provide clarity on the matter from the government’s end but it’s the media’s duty to contextualize and report the concerns of stakeholders as well,” part of their statement reads. (CEBU NEWS)