GIRL MAYOR. Zen Jollie Heler (left), a Grade 10 learner of the Assumption Iloilo, receives the symbolic key of responsibility from Mayor Jerry P. Treñas as she starts her weeklong stint as City Girl Mayor on Monday (Oct. 16, 2023). Heler leads 68 other boy and girl officials serving as counterparts of the heads of city government offices until Friday (Oct. 20). (Photo from Jerry Treñas FB page)
ILOILO CITY – Iloilo City’s girl mayor is pushing for interactive seminars between the youth and government offices and organizations as she worked side by side with Mayor Jerry P. Treñas in running the affairs of the city government for a week starting Monday.
“There are many youths that do not really care about what is going on in the city; they are not knowledgeable. I want them to be able to interact with different bodies and organizations so they would be able to learn and understand why the government has these different policies and how they can help in their own personal way,” said City Girl Mayor Zen Jollie Heler, a Grade 10 learner of the Assumption Iloilo, in an interview on Tuesday.
Heler led this year’s batch of 69 student leaders from various secondary schools serving as counterparts of heads of offices at the city hall from Oct. 16-20, 2023.
Treñas welcomed the youth officials with the hope that after a week, his counterpart would know how the city government works and how to handle various situations.
“It’s a good experience for them. It is something you cannot pay for because even if you pay for this you cannot get in as a girl mayor. You have to thank the Rotary Club for this,” he said.
He added the experience may at least ignite the youth's interest in joining the public service.
Treñas also observed that for several years, girl leaders have occupied the mayoral seat.
In a separate interview, Francisco T. Heler Jr., the girl mayor's father, said his daughter passed a series of examinations and interviews before she was chosen for the position.
“We continue to guide her. This is a very good opportunity for her to know what’s in the government service. It is a very enriching opportunity,” he said.
The elder Heler heads the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) of the Iloilo provincial government, while her mother Victoria is the Deputy City Prosecutor in this city.
Officials assigned with the Sangguniang Panlungsod led by Boy Vice Mayor Joaquin Miguel Lutero from Paref Westbridge School, Inc. will join the council during their regular session on Wednesday and have their mock session the day after.
Fourteen other students serving as councilors will also attend the mock session.
City Resolution No. 2023-857 declared Oct. 16-29 as the Boys’ and Girls’ Week Celebration in Iloilo City.
It is organized by the city government and the Rotary Club of Iloilo. (PNA)
