NAGA CITY, April 15 (PIA) --- This city started the week by pulling off three momentous events in one celebration while enjoining everyone to share its aspirations in upholding good governance and transparency.
City Mayor John G. Bongat led the celebration of the Naga City Athlete’s Day, the opening of the Barangay Ligalympics and the oath-taking of the new City Youth officials (CYOs), Monday. He was joined by Camarines Sur 3rd District Representative Atty. Leni G. Robredo while City Vice-Mayor Nelson Legacion shared words of inspiration to the athletes who toiled hard to bring honor to the city during the recently concluded Palarong Bikol 2015.
In his speech, Bongat said that the triple celebration only speaks of the city’s integrated and cohesive approach of putting things together for a better result.
“These celebrations all rolled into one, only shows that we in Naga, are always one. The Ligalympics promotes camaraderie while the CYO program as a continuation of the City Youth Internship program, aims to empower the youth and show them what good governance is. This was strengthened during the time of former Mayor and Secretary Jesse Robredo. We also give recognition to the athletes who are continuously giving honor to the city government as well as to their families.”
Robredo, who was invited as guest of honor during the oath-taking ceremony of the CYO stated that the three occasions have also a soft spot in her heart. First are the athletes who reminded her of their very own swimmer-daughter, Jillian Therese "Jill" Robredo who also brought numerous honors to the city. Robredo became nostalgic recalling how she and the late Secretary would find time to be at their daughter’s every competition to show them their support.
Second is the occasion of the Barangay Officials, the Ligalympics, which reminded her again that they are the very reasons why her husband became a public official and public servant for a long time. The third, which is the highlight of Monday’s celebration, the oath-taking of our City Youth Officials also brought her to the time when she actively took part in helping her husband when the program was just on its infant stage.
Reminding the youth of the crucial role they are about to play, Robredo left these words to the young leaders:
“I always remember what my husband told me, that “the test of the character of a public official is not if he faces difficulties, but when one is given more power. If he is given more power, that’s the test of his true character … because that’s the most difficult temptation of all … power.”
The City Youth program endeavors to expose the future leaders of Naga City to the challenges of urban governance thus the challenge for them sent out by the Solon is to stay humbled by their power in the midst of raging temptation to over use it.
All three celebrations aim to bring to the fore Naga’s campaign for participatory governance where its constituents are well-informed and can soundly participate in decision-making. (LSMacatangay, PIAV/Camarines Sur)