High school students take over city hall in Caloocan, Manila

After the young once, it’s now the young ones’ turn.

Barely two months after senior citizens were allowed to fill in the shoes of department heads in Caloocan City, local officials formally swore in office teenagers who will be holding key positions in the local government.

The temporary arrangement will last for four days to mark “Linggo ng Kabataan” to highlight the role of the youth in nation-building.

Ninety-three public high-school students from Manila will also be taking over city hall under an apprenticeship program organized by the Manila division of city schools as part of the annual Boys and Girls Week held in Manila from December 5 to 9.

Republic Act No. 7160, or the Local Government Code of 1991, mandates that each province, municipality and barangay (village) in the country organize activities in coordination with the Sangguniang Kabataan as part of a series of week-long activities.

The activities include the election of the counterparts of all local officials among in-school and community youths residing in the city.

At the flag ceremony held Monday at Caloocan city hall, 20 teenagers, aged 13 to 17 years old, were introduced to the public by local officials.

The teenagers will run the departments where they have been assigned under the supervision of incumbent local officials.

“The special opportunity given to the youngsters will allow them to pick up valuable lessons as far as government affairs are concerned,” Mayor Enrico Echiverri said.

In October, high-ranking local officials were also temporarily replaced by men and women aged 60 and above, this time in commemoration of Elderly Filipino Week.

The annual celebration, marked every year since 1996 through a proclamation issued by then President Fidel Ramos, also aims to highlight the crucial role of senior citizens in nation-building.

“The youth should be fully aware of the tenets of civic responsibilities at an early age, to prepare them to play strategic leadership roles at an appointed time as successors to the current leaders in government,” said Mayor Alfredo Lim, in an executive order implementing and outlining the rationale behind the week-long activity in Manila.

Taking on the role of city executives for the duration of Boys and Girls Week in Manila are Danielle Mae Lao of T. Paez High School as mayor; Razelle Aguinaldo of Manila Science High School, vice mayor; Gie Arthelle Dahay of Soliman High School, secretary to the mayor; Stevan Hugh Alvarado of M. Roxas High School, city administrator; and Jeciel Amador of Arellano High School, chief of staff.

The students assumed their posts on Monday after they were introduced at the flag-raising ceremony and briefed on the functions of each office in city hall.