Are children better leaders? Can they make a change at the Dagupan City Hall?
With all the oldies taking care of the government affairs, the city hall’s decision to hand over the affairs of the city to children is quite a novelty. Of course, the young officials cannot really do anything official. Their week-long stint at the city hall will merely be a leadership training for them.
We only hope that they the oldies’ bad habits won’t rub on them. Follow only the good habits, children, and you won’t go wrong.
Below is my story which I also submitted to the Pangasinan Star.
 
 High school students comprising the Ogagaw ya Malingkor 2007 (Children Who Serve), took over the city hall today as elective officials and heads of the different departments.
The 34 high school students led by “Mayor” Frances Riel Elinzano, 14, a third year high school student of the Mother Goodse Special School Systems, Inc., took their oath before Vice Mayor Alvin Fernandez today (Tuesday) during the 109^th Independence Day celebration at the city plaza.
They will hold office starting in the afternoon until June 20 when the city celebrates its 60^th founding anniversary.
Elinzano, regal in a terno in her “inaugural address,” outlined the program of government that her “administration” will implement. First is the purchase of a housing unit at the Bahay Kalinga project in Bonuan village for an “indigent family living in the street or under the bridge.”
She also said her co-officials will launch the Operation Old Books, or will ask the private schools to donate at least 100 old books to the public schools. Another is sports development and anti-illegal drug program among the students.
“I’m excited, but a little bit nervous. But since I am happy about what I will be doing, I think it will be easy to do it,” she told the Inquirer. “I’m sure I will learn many valuable lessons.”
The young officials are students from both the private and public schools in the city who elected from among themselves, through secret balloting, who will be mayor, vice mayor and members of the Sanguniang Panglunsod.

The children-leaders will hold office either in the morning or in the afternoon only as they will also be attending their classes.
Before their elections, they underwent a crash course on the city operations from Mayor Benjamin Lim, who advised them that in implementing laws, “we should be strict, but let us not forget to put some human touch on it. It is a way of obtaining the respect and loyalty of the constituents.”
Metro Dagupan culture and arts council president Honorata Siapno said the Ogogaw a Malingkor aims to hone the Dagupeño youth to be good leaders in the future.
“This program also enables Filipino youth to gain inspirations from their experiences in developing their skills and capabilties which they can later share with their peers,” she said.
The child city vice mayor is Noel Lamsen of the Dagupan City National High School while the city councilors are Michelle Angelica Soriano, Care de Guzman, Louise Mae Bangsal, Rochmond Batulan, Charleen Myre Mejia, Katrina Joyce Alarte, Bounteous Servito, Jeriel Ruth Lim, Rustan Maynard Tandoc, Keshma Shennedy Gascon, Donn Aficial and Danmar Kevin Brao.

I know a place…where there’s peace and quiet, beauty and repose 

It’s hidden in the valley, beside the mountain spring 

And beside the spring, I know that I can dream… 

                                    –excerpts from a Girl Scouts’ ditty 

Somewhere along the slopes of Mt. Balungao , hidden among towering forest trees and an all-natural and wonderful panorama, is the Balungao Hot and Cold Spring Resort. 

            It’s not a so-hidden place as it lures tourists both from the province and other places the best of what Mother Nature can offer. Still, it’s a perfect hideaway from the daily rigors of life and the spring waters, with its sulfur content, is said to be medicinal which can cure some physical ailments. 

            Mt. Balungao is an extinct volcano (we hope) in Balungao town, visible from the Rosales town highway towards Manila . From afar, it makes for a mystical view as one wonders what secrets it veils with thick canopy of trees. Up close, a secret is revealed—a natural health spa of hot and cold springs. Read more

ALAMINOS CITY – Illegal fishing seemed to have raised its ugly head again with 21 persons involved in the trade caught by the city police, public order and safety office and bantay dagat members in the past days.
            The police have filed cases of violation of  anti-illegal fishing laws  against the illegal fishermen, according to Supt. Rogelio Danoli, city chief of police.
            Mayor Hernani Braganza said the suspects are not from the city but from neighbor towns Anda and Sual.
            He said 14 of the suspects were from Anda and were operating a baby trawl using fine-mesh nets at the waters off Telbang and Victoria villages when caught by patrolling police and  Bantay Dagat last June 9.

           Danoli said a total of 345 kilos of assorted fish worth P17,000 was confiscated from the illegal fishers, and which were donated to charitable institutions.
            Three other fishermen were caught using push nets or kayakas in local dialect which also use fine mesh nets. They were fishing in a seagrass protected area, also violating the city’s fishery ordinance.
            Braganza said the four suspects were caught selling illegally-caught fish in the city market, allegedly brought from Navotas, Bulacan.
            “We are denying market to illegally-caught fish,” Braganza said.
            On Tuesday and Wednesday, the fishery personnel of the city dismantled fish traps along the navigational lane of the city and Anda.
            Braganza said the fish traps’ owners, who have been operating without business permits, and are endangering persons navigating the area.
            The fish traps, locally known as “pababing” also contribute to siltation in the area as they hinder water flow, he added.
            The fish traps’ owners earlier complained that thieves usually beat them to the traps’ catch, and that these are empty when they come to harvest the fish.

Pangasinenses led by Speaker Jose de Venecia paid tribute to the late Governor Aguedo F. Agbayani, the son of a carpenter who went on to become the longest serving governor of the province. 

De Venecia led on Thursday the unveiling of the Agbayani’s monument at the park named in his honor, in this capital town, together with Agbayani’s widow Teresita, his son Governor Victor Agbayani and his wife Jamie and other members of the Agbayani family.. 

            De Venecia described Agbayani who was governor from 1971 to 1986 and from 1992-1995, as a “quintessential” leader “who was able to bridge the gap between the rich and the poor in Pangasinan and who was able to develop a strong middle class society in the province.” 

            “He was not only a great Pangasinense, but a great Filipino who served the nation well,” the Speaker said. Read more