Mayor Guiani Sayadi: Children are the nation’s power house

 UPLIFTING THE YOUTH SECTOR --- City Mayor Atty. Frances Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi (right holding a tarpaulin) poses with a group of children after delivering her “State of the Children Report” at the lobby of the People’s Palace last November 7. (Gilmhar A. Lao)

 COTABATO CITY --- “The young ones of today will be adults of tomorrow, so it becomes mandatory for every nation and society to nurture a strong, healthy, and intellectual youth.”

Such was the statement of Cotabato City Mayor Atty. Frances Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi during her State of the Children Report before hundreds of school children, youths, city government officials, law enforcers, and guests on occasion of the  Children’s Month celebration held at the People’s Palace last November 7.

Mayor Guiani-Sayadi said it is the responsibility of adults to lead the youths in “good direction.”

“The youths of the nation are its power house. They have boundless course of energy, power, and enthusiasm and they form part in the destiny of a nation,” said Mayor Guiani-Sayadi.

“In the city, we adults are outnumbered by the figure of the little ones, particularly the school children, so it is a must to take good care of them and they will become responsible adults in the future,” said further said.

Mayor Guani-Sayadi said that for fiscal year 2016, the city government appropriated a quarter of its Annual Investment and Development Program budget for the welfare of the children alone.

“We are here to lead you as you go through proper direction. Let us help each other in nation building,” she said.

Since she assumed office after the death of the late mayor Japal Guiani, Jr. last September 22,  Guiani-Sayadi leads the  joint LGU-PNP nightly “Ronda Patrol” to run after the suspected persons involved in illegal trade and other forms of criminality such as carnapping, theft, robbery, and illegal possession of firearms, among others.

“For instance, criminality as shown by PNP records has lessened. Our population also went up due to our strengthened fight against all forms of criminalities and illegal drugs. And because of the trust and confidence in our governance, people from nearby areas have finally decided to settle down here, the reason of dramatic increase in terms of our population,” said Mayor Guiani-Sayadi.

The mayor expressed her gladness in informing everyone that due to the improved condition of peace and order, there is growing number of companies  expressing their interest to invest in Cotabato City.

“As my brother told me once, the late mayor “Jojo” Guiani, Jr., the future belongs to our children and nobody shall benefit our present endeavours but them. The effective and efficient program of the city government on the welfare of the children had won for it the 2nd Most Child-Friendly Award in the country under the Independent Component City category,” she said.

Further, as commitment to uphold the rights of women and children, the city government has strengthened the inter-agency coordination to combat trafficking and violence against women and children.

“We maintain a children and women center situated at the Tantawan Park,” she said.

Also, Mayor Guiani-Sayadi has affirmed her strengthened battle against illegal drugs. “Our President has started it all and we are doing the same intense campaign here in the city.” (GILMHAR A. LAO & ANNE B. ACOSTA – MINDANAO EXPOSE’)