Dancing youths cry reforms, halt traffic

CEBU, Philippines- Local Kaabag-led youth calling themselves "I am Mandaue" group conducted a three to five-minute "lightning" street dance on corner S.B. Cabahug and A. del Rosario Streets on Saturday afternoon to drum up their demand for reforms within the government.

Some 70 youth belonging to different organizations conducted a modern dance in the middle of the street to the tune of "Kilos Kabataan" and displayed at the end the banner, "I am Mandaue." They briefly halted traffic in the area.

Kaabag, meaning "to journey with," is an accredited non-government organization aimed at empowering all sectors to be able to help the local government unit practice and implement good governance.

Members of the Traffic Enforcement Agency of Mandaue who were informed earlier of the activity manned the traffic during the duration of the presentation.

Mary Jedde Ampolitod, former SK chair of Barangay Guizo and facilitator of Kaabag-Youth, said they wanted to create public awareness that they are advocating for the retention of Sangguniang Kabataan or Katipunan ng Kabataan with some reforms.

These include, among others, increasing the age qualification for SK members from 15 to 17 to 18 to 24.

"With the increase in age requirements, we can have fiscal autonomy and acquire legal personality so that we cannot be beholden to the adult officials," said Ampolitod, a fourth year Psychology student of the University of San Carlos.

"As Mandauehanon, we are responsible whatever happens to our city, as youth we want to empower ourselves and become an asset to the city," added Ampolitod, who is also the president of Kaabag-Guizo Chapter.

For purposes of transparency, she added, they have to submit financial reports to the respective local council and local government unit officials and present them in the youth group assembly.

The group expressed concern that it seems the issue on SK was unattended due to other popular issues tackled by Congress.

These reforms, she added, have been formalized and presented to Congress for action.

The participating groups included former SK officials from different barangays, Kaabag youths, National Youth Commission, Student Council Alliance of the Philippines, National Youth Parliament and Akbayan youth.  ( PIO Mandaue)