New SKF President vows to continue existing projects

CEBU, Philippines —  Newly-elected Sangguniang Kabataan Federation president Rhea Mae Jakosalem vows to continue the notable projects that outgoing SKF chair Jessica Resch has started while also asserting her own brand of leadership.

Jakosalem, only one of the two re-elected SK chair in the 80 barangays of Cebu City and was elected as the new SKF chair earlier this week, vows to work with all SK chairs in the city regardless of political color. Jakosalem said this is something she learned from Resch herself.

Jakosalem, during the SKF maiden outing in the City’s Sugboanon channel yesterday, admitted that she and Resch do not belong to the same party as the latter identifies with BOPK, yet Resch showed to them “serbisyo nga walay pili” which she also hopes to be able to continue.

The 24 year-old Jakosalem also said that she aims to finish the youth learning hubs project of Resch in the barangays.

Currently, out of 80 barangays in Cebu City, 67 learning hubs have been established per barangay. 

Jakosalem’s term will only be short though compared to that of Resch, but with only 13 barangays left without a learning hub yet, she feels it is achievable.

“During our leadership, e perfect na gyud nato,” Jakosalem said.

Aside from that, Jakosalem looks forward to have the envisioned Mega Youth Center of Mayor Mike Rama for them during her term.

Jakosalem said she personally sees the Mega Youth Center in Singapore viable, which they also want to have here in Cebu City.

If budget allows it, they want to have one in the urban center and the other one in the mountain side.

Aside from that, the new SKF officers also wants to work on having an SK coaster to cater  those in the mountain barangays for them to go faster and comfortable in attending activities in the city and services to the barangay.

More to that, Jakosalem emphasized that she will bring the kind of leadership she has in Parian to the SKF that is to set budget allocation for all committees and not only pour the budget in one project alone.

For example, Jakosalem said SKs should not only focus on sports, but also education, health and the environment.

“As much as possible tanan nga committees akong gitagaag budget..para dili lang mu-focus sa usa(sports)..Mao man nay pirming yango-ngo sa atong mga batan-on, maong wa lang mi ni focus sa liga. Mao sad na akong ma advise nila(SKF),if naa na moy bdget, focus sa tanang aspect, para tanang problema, inyo ra gyung masolusyunan,” said Jakosalem.

Jakosalem who was with the other new SK Federation officials including Jessie Apiag of Basak-San Nicolas, Clyve Tanof Kasambagan, and Janzent Kirk Seno of Pulang Bato also vows to work together while also promising to help the City government headed by Mayor Rama to achieve its Singapore-like vision starting from their respective barangays.

The news SKF officials believe that to be Singapore-like, the youth should be well disciplined, and that is something they want to impart to each Cebuano youth in the city.