ILOILO City – With the looming threat of El Niño raising concerns over water security, Iloilo City’s newly installed Girl City Mayor Alexa Jaci L. Bataan is pushing for water conservation measures in schools and government offices as 53 young Ilonggos assume leadership roles during this Boys’ and Girls’ Week Celebration 2026.
Bataan, a student of the University of the Philippines Visayas-Iloilo, said she intends to use her week-long stint as the youth counterpart of Mayor Raisa S. Treñas to advocate responsible water consumption and initiate policy proposals aimed at protecting the city’s water resources.
Among her priorities is working with fellow youth officials to formulate proposed ordinances and initiatives encouraging water conservation in schools and within the city government.
The advocacy comes amid concerns over the possible effects of the El Niño phenomenon, which could put additional pressure on water resources and underscore the need for preventive conservation efforts.
Bataan emphasized that young people must take an active role in addressing environmental challenges rather than leaving the responsibility entirely to government authorities.
“As young people, what we can do is advocate for better water conservation. We can spread awareness through social media platforms where we are most active,” Bataan said.
She identified TikTok, Facebook, YouTube and X (formerly Twitter) as platforms that young Ilonggos could use to encourage responsible water consumption and broaden public awareness of conservation practices.
Beyond social media campaigns, Bataan hopes to translate youth advocacy into concrete policy recommendations that could help the city promote sustainable water use.
She stressed that today’s environmental decisions would have lasting consequences for younger generations, who would eventually inherit the responsibility of managing the city’s resources.
“We will also bear the consequences of everything that happens when we are the ones occupying your positions in the future,” she said.
Bataan said her participation in the annual leadership program provides an opportunity not only to advocate environmental protection but also to understand how government officials formulate policies, address public concerns and deliver essential services.
“That is the biggest priority — we have been given the opportunity to help people at a very young age,” Bataan said.
“As mayor, I really expect that we will learn a lot about how to lead and serve our communities. We are still young, and we have so much to learn in life,” she added.
The young mayor also expressed enthusiasm about working with fellow youth leaders and developing relationships that could strengthen their commitment to public service.
“We also expect to have fun, make more friends and strengthen our bonds with one another as boys’ and girls’ city officials,” she said.
53 YOUTH OFFICIALS ASSUME ROLES
The Boys’ and Girls’ Week Celebration 2026 officially opened Monday, October 19, at Plaza Libertad, marking the beginning of a week-long immersion in local governance for 53 young city officials.
The opening ceremonies featured the presentation of youth officials, the ceremonial pinning of sashes for the young mayor and vice mayor, and an oath-taking ceremony.
A symbolic turnover of the Key of Iloilo City highlighted the event, signifying the trust and responsibility entrusted to the city’s aspiring young leaders.
Bataan was selected as Girl City Mayor, while Izabela Margaret D. Dimla of Hua Siong College of Iloilo-Ledesco was named Girl City Vice Mayor, serving as the youth counterpart of Vice Mayor Lady Julie Grace L. Baronda.
Throughout the October 19 to 25 celebration, the participants will gain firsthand exposure to the responsibilities of elected officials, department heads and members of the local legislative council.
The program is designed to familiarize students with government operations, policymaking and public service delivery while encouraging them to develop leadership skills and a stronger sense of civic responsibility.
The opening program also recognized students from Philippine Science High School for winning the 2026 Division-Level Junior High School Statistics Quiz.
Iloilo Scholastics Academy and Iloilo City National High School were likewise recognized as runners-up.
Organized in partnership with the Rotary Club of Iloilo City, the annual Boys’ and Girls’ Week celebration seeks to nurture a new generation of responsible, compassionate and community-oriented Ilonggo leaders.
For Bataan, the week-long leadership experience offers an opportunity to demonstrate that young people can contribute meaningful ideas to pressing public concerns, particularly the need to safeguard the city’s water resources for future generations./PN
