KORONADAL CITY, SOUTH COTABATO — Twenty-two young leaders formally took their oath as Junior Officials before Governor Reynaldo S. Tamayo Jr. as the Provincial Government of South Cotabato celebrated Linggo ng Kabataan, highlighting the province’s continuing efforts to strengthen youth participation in governance and public service.
Tamayo told the young leaders that the commitment to good governance goes beyond maintaining efficient government operations and includes safeguarding the future of the next generation.
“Ang ini nga administrasyon ang indi lamang naga tutok sa kong paanu ma mentain ang maayo nga panginuberno sa probensya, kundi mangin man ang pag protect sa buwas damlag sang mga ma sunood nga henerasyon,” Tamayo emphasized.
The governor officially welcomed the newly elected Junior Officials during the Junior Officials Oath-Taking Ceremony held yesterday as part of the Monday convocation at the Provincial Capitol Covered Court.
The ceremony opened with a presentation of the program rationale by Director Hayd-Ali Suwaib, Provincial Director of South Cotabato, who highlighted the realities, responsibilities, and challenges involved in public administration and governance.
Spearheaded by the Office of the Provincial Governor–Provincial Youth Development Office (OPG-PYDO), the Linggo ng Kabataan celebration aims to promote meaningful youth participation in local governance, nation-building, and community affairs.
The program is anchored on Republic Act No. 10742, or the Sangguniang Kabataan Reform Act of 2015, which recognizes the vital role of young people in nation-building and promotes their active participation in governance and community development.
It also provides young participants with a clearer understanding of how government decisions are made and how public programs and services are implemented to address the needs of communities.
Patricia L. Arado, newly elected Junior Governor from the Municipality of T’boli, encouraged her fellow young leaders to use their roles as an opportunity to listen, serve, and represent the youth of South Cotabato.
“Ito ay isang pangako na makinig, umunawa at maglingkod nang may katapatan, dedikasyon at integridad. Nawa’y maging boses tayo ng bawat kabataang walang boses. Sama-sama tayong mangarap, maglingkod at maging inspirasyon sa bawat kabataan ng Timog Cotabato,” Arado said.
Following the oath-taking ceremony, the Junior Officials immediately began their official immersion activities at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan and various offices of the Provincial Government of South Cotabato (PGSC), giving them firsthand exposure to the functions and responsibilities of local government.
