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.

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

 Time was when Dagupan was called the Queen City of the North — the economic, government and educational center in Region I.

                Not anymore, City Mayor Benjamin Lim admitted. The city has been dislodged from its position and at present, there are other equally progressive growth centers in the region and even in the Pangasinan province.

                The city government has also gotten the flak after it landed among one of the local government units with the lowest net income in 2005, as reported by the Commission on Audit. Read more

Archbishop Oscar Cruz warned against one big socio-political upheaval – which is neither welcome, must less amusing- if the “dubious” People’s  Initiative is successful and in the event that the questionable Charter change becomes a reality.
 
“This is because the opposition and the many institutions, organizations and movements having the same sentiments – plus all their followers and sympathizers who are not exactly feeble in voice nor indecisive in option – would not take such an initiative and change lying down,” the Archbishop wrote in his blog.
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