Newly-elected Bataraza councilor Al-Shariff Wahid Ibba has vowed to pass measures addressing the prevalent HIV problem among the youth and promoting sports.
Al-Shariff, the 19-year old son of re-elected Mayor Abraham Ibba, said his primary goal on health is to propose measures that would raise the level of awareness of the young people in Bataraza about HIV/AIDS since they are vulnerable.
“Pag-iisipan ko pa ng maigi [kung ano ang mga resolutions and ordinances na gagawin ko]. Gusto ko kasi kapag nagpatakbo ako ng isang bagay gusto ko planado. Isa ang HIV/AIDS sa tututukan natin. ‘Yong huwag tayong magkulang sa paalala sa kanila about HIV/AIDs pati ‘yong pagbibigay ng mga contraceptives sa mga kabataan,” Al-Shariff said their oath taking ceremony.
Al-Shariff noted that Bataraza has a high incidence of HIV, accounting for 26 percent of provincial total based on official 2017 data.
The other towns with HIV cases were Narra, Taytay, Aborlan, Brooke’s Point, Española, Rizal, El Nido, Coron, Cuyo, and Roxas.
A freshman student of Palawan State University (PSU), Al-Shariff said while he has not come up with measures to propose to the Sangguniang Bayan, he will be busy leading HIV/AIDS campaigns to raise the level of awareness of the young people of Bataraza to take care against the lentivirus.
Aside from HIV/AIDS, he said his goal is to also get Bataraza’s young people into sports and a healthy lifestyle.
Meanwhile, Al-Shariff said he did not expect to be ahead in the race in the election for members of the municipal council.
He said he joined the polls in a bid to represent the youth of Bataraza since most members of the municipal council are already above the youth age.
“Nakikita ko kasi na ang mga miyembro ng sanggunian ay halos middle ages na kaya gusto ko na magkaroon ng boses ang mga kabataan sa munisipyo. Isa sa mga tututukan ko talaga ay ang sports pati ang mga scholarship ng mga kabataan para magkaroon ng magandang kinabukasan,” he said.
He pointed out that despite his busy schedule at school, he will find time to attend their regular sessions and other activities in the municipal council.
Al-Shariff said he has worked out his schedule and will be in their town to attend their Wednesday session.
“Pipiliin ko ang schedule ko, dapat Wednesday nandito ako sa Bataraza kasi ‘yon ang session namin. Then kung walang gagawin sa school ay uuwi ako dito para maglingkod sa mga kababayan ko. Kakayanin ko para makapaglingkod sa bayan,” he said.
About Post Author
