‘Not a hopeless case’ — Sagarbarria
City Mayor Manuel “Chiquiting” Sagarbarria felt sorry that increasing number of crimes involving minors in the City seems to be the trend these days. As of June this year alone, there are 1,111 child abuse cases being reported and a total of 202 youth offenders.{{more}}
For a child-friendly city, the f acts can be worrisome. However, the mayor is hopeful that it’s not a hopeless case. He said that the city has to create additional programs that could strengthen and enhance family relationships as many offenders come from dysfunctional families. The mayor cited parents who belong to the C-D bracket who believe that it is alright for them to order their kids to go and make a living for the whole family, which should not be the case according to him.
As a new City Mayor, Sagarbarria emphasize the fact that the city recognizes the essential role of children and the youth in nation building and in making this city a good place to live in. He added that the city must hatch and work out innovative programs that could promote and protect their physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual and social well-being.
Mayor Sagarbarria reiterated his message to the parents as head of the family. Based on the information gathered from the police and from social workers, almost all those who were considered “youth offenders”, of which there are 202 of them as of June this year, belong to what we call ‘dysfunctional families.’
This means that, parents have a big role in the kind of youth produced in the society.
“So, I would say, parents let us give unconditional love to our children, let us provide them what they need and let us never forget that it is us who have a responsibility towards them and not the other way around.
To the youth–bear in mind that you are your parent’s greatest legacy in this world, so let us honor them the best way we can and most importantly, never forget to ask for the creator’s guidance as you walk along life’s path”. (Steve T. Gabriel)