Students reminded on vital role in Cebu’s growth

CEBU, Philippines - Students in Cebu are urged to participate in efforts that will demand for accountability from government officials.

 Government agencies and the private sector are also hoping for the active participation from students as “future leaders” to take part in advocacies on social, economic and environmental development.

 In a forum dubbed as Reality: A Panel Discussion on Mega Cebu”, Metro Cebu Development and Coordinating Board Co-Chair Gordon Alan Joseph asked students to help and be involved in the planning and implementation of programs to ensure consistency.

 “There must be accountability for the expenditure of every public cent. The youth has to step forward and demand for accountability from our government officials,” he said.

 USC professor Francisco Largo agreed that students need to pressure government officials to perform well.

 “Students have to engage themselves to keep the pressure,” he said.

 Carolinian Economics Society President Jan Marionne Yap assured to take part in the development of a more liveable and sustainable Mega Cebu through Club Mega.

 Club Mega is a youth organization that aims to engage students at all levels in the journey towards achieving the Mega Cebu vision, which is “a vibrant, equitable, sustainable and competitive environment that embraces Cebu’ s creativity and its cultural, historical and natural resources, with strong citizen participation and responsive governance.”

 The new organization, which is endorsed by the committee behind Mega Cebu, recognizes that the youth today is the future recipients of the fruits of all endeavors toward a Mega Cebu.

  The forum held at the University of San Carlos-Main Campus was attended by the representatives of the Department of Interior and Local Government, National Economic and Development Authority and the MCDCB.  (FREEMAN)