Resch bids goodbye as council member

CEBU, Philippines — Outgoing Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Federation president Jessica Resch recalls her journey in public service as she bids goodbye to Cebu City Council through a privilege speech during her last day as ex-officio member.

Resch stood before the members of the City Council during the regular session yesterday to deliver her final privilege speech before her exit.

Resch recalled her time in public service by saying that it has always been the path she was accustomed of growing up.

“However, things took a slightly different turn and I was offered an opportunity to expand my horizon and venture into public service,” said Resch.

According to Resch, she considered her transition from a “mere resident” of Barangay San Nicolas Proper to becoming the head of 799 youth leaders in the city as her initiation to public service.

Resch became the president of the SK Federation without an immediate predecessor since no SK officials at that time were allowed to retain position in a hold-over capacity.

According to her, she and the other youth leaders struggled to find their footing in public service and recalled starting from scratch including re-visioning the SK Federation.

“Likewise, struggled in determining the optimal placement of the Sangguniang Kabataan within the government hierarchy and exploring avenues for potential connections and contributions, laktod pagka istorya, lisod gyud among naagian,” said Resch.

Resch gives credit to the 14th Sangguniang Panglungsod headed by former mayor Tomas Osmeña and late vice mayor Edgardo Labella for welcoming her leadership. She considers the two as her “mentors”.

As she recalls her second year in public service with her first local election, Resch labeled the experience as an exploration for her of diverse leadership styles.

On her third year in public service which is also the same year that the COVID-19 pandemic struck the country, Resch said it was the time her resourcefulness to bring out her leadership was also challenged.

“As an innovative and creative youth that we are, we took the entire situation as a learning curve and we skillfully maneuver through the challenges maximizing our expertise in technology,” said Resch.

Resch highlighted their online zoom initiatives to the youth that opened the challenges faced by the majority - the lack of online resources to meet the ends needed to continue the education.

This birthed their initiatives in launching the SK Youth Centers in every barangays in the city. At present, there are 67 youth centers in the city.

Furthermore, Resch also extended her gratitude to the current administration led by Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama for the assistance provided to the Cebuano youth.

Last 2018, the 21-year-old Resch of Barangay San Nicolas Proper was elected SK Federation president of Cebu City.

Just this month, Rama named her as overseer of the city’s youth development program. Resch will be replaced by newly-elected SKF president Rhea Jakosalem. — (FREEMAN)