Youth leaders trade brickbats over duties

THE rift between the two youth leaders in Iloilo City continues as Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Federation president and City Councilor Leila Luntao slammed the statements of the chairman of the Local Youth and Development Office (LYDO).

According to Luntao, LYDO chair Jason Gregorio does not communicate with her and fails to attend the meetings of the Local Youth Development Council (LYDC).

“Amo na problem ko, kay siya gahambal nga ga-coordinate kami nga duha pero ako indi ko makita nga coordinate kuno kami kay wala man siya attendance sa mga meetings and kung pangitaon ko siya kabudlay sa iya kadtuan,” Luntao said.

Luntao insists that their functions overlap with each other’s offices.

“Yes ga-overlap kay dapat ari gid siya para mag guide pero kis-a gina-overlap nga daw mas taas siya so ako man mismo gakaconfuse. Ang iya function as LYDO mag-serve as guide siya. linkage sa NYC (National Youth Commission) and DILG (Department of Interior and Local Government),” she said.

But when asked about the overlapping duties, Luntao could not point out a particular function.

Instead, she cited the travel orders for the SK as one of the obligations of her office.

“About sa travel order sa SK. As the SK federation president, amon na tani role kay syempre under sa amon ang SK pero ginkuha niya ang amo nga obligation,” she said.

Councilor Plaridel Nava said in an interview on Dec 3, 2018 that the LYDO is disrespecting the authority of the SK president and overlaps with the duties of Luntao.

But Gregorio denied Nava’s claims, saying that he communicates with Luntao as regards the projects undertaken by their offices.

“Sa accusation nga ginadisrespect naton ang SK, daw wala ko sang madumduman nga tinion nga gin-disrespect namon si Councilor Luntao. Wala man kami sang may ginhimo nga mga actions nga ginalapawan namon or gin-overlap ang functions ni Luntao as SK President. In fact, open ang communication namon sa isa kag isa,” he clarified.

Nava said he would recommend “zero budget” for the LYDO and City Legal Offices.

“We will give them zero budget to give them a message that Luntao deserves to be recognized as SK chairman,” he emphasized.

If proven that Gregorio failed in his role and responsibilities, Luntao said his office deserves zero budget.

“Yes he deserves it if wala niya ginahimo iya function. It is only proper nga gin-suggest ni Councilor Nava kay kung wala niya mahimo iya role, why would he give him a budget?” she questioned.

She added that she is very much willing to meet with Gregorio, but emphasized that as the secretariat of the LYDC, Gregorio must take initiative to reach to her office.

“If willing siya mag meet sa akon, wala gid ya problem. If ma-prove niya nga daw willing siya magwork sa amon, I don’t think nga necessary gid nga i-zero iya budget. Ako indi gusto nga amuhon gid na iya office. Kinahanglan niya lang i-prove nga kaya niya mag-work hand in hand sa amon,” she added.

SOURCE: The Daily Guardian

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