Youths support anti-vandal drive

THIRTY-TWO youths from Minglanilla town, southern Cebu pledged their support to the province’s drive against graffiti.

Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia met with them together with Minglanilla Vice Mayor Elanito Pena and barangay officials.

Association of Barangay Councils (ABC) president and Tungkil barangay captain Manolo Delgado emphasized that vandalism on establishments is among their major concerns, especially along the highway.

Delgado said they’ve began cleaning up graffiti in some parts of the town, but they still need to double their effort.

Delgado said they are prioritizing their campaign in the 10 barangays along the highways.

Delgado said they sought the help of the 32 youths and organized them as a group last April in their effort to drive out graffiti.

Delgado said most of youths were previously engaged in vandalism.

Delgado said they wanted to set the 32 members as models in the campaign against graffiti.

Garcia said she will meet the bigger youth groups to also encourage them to participate in the drive of the province.

Last June, Garcia announced during its Provincial Development Council (PDC) meeting that the province will be launching its Graffiti Workable Enforcement team to implement the Anti-Graffiti Ordinance in Cebu province.

The ordinance passed last May 13 penalizes anyone caught defacing structures, possessing and furnishing to minors graffiti implements.

Garcia said provincial police will arrest violators and rewards will be given to persons who report violators.

In July, Superior Gas and Equipment Corp. president Alvin Lua and Garcia signed an agreement for the free supply of calcium carbide, commonly known as calburo to all component cities, towns and barangays in the implementation of the Anti-Graffiti Ordinance, which was authored by former Provincial Board member Juan Bolo.

Garcia also called on Sangguniang Kabataan Federation president Aladdin Caminero to participate. /correspondent Carmel Loise Matus